Colleen Catherine Leeder
April 25, 1960 to May 27, 2026
Obituary
Colleen Leeder lived her life with quiet strength, kindness, and a sense of humour that stayed with you. We are deeply saddened to announce her passing May 27, 2026, at the young age of 66 years.
Colleen was a devoted wife to her husband Michael Cahill and lovingly embraced his two daughters Sarah Flynn (Aiden) and Jessica Madden (Peter). She was a proud and loving Gram to Evelyn, Hardy and Frank. Colleen was a wonderful sister and a loyal friend.
Born in 1960 in Toledo Ontario to Mary and Benedict Leeder, she was one of 8 children; Bernadine Bakker (Arie), Maureen Warner (Brian deceased), Gerard Leeder, Anthony Leeder (Ruth), Elaine Carley (Robert), Christine Schroeder (Stephen) and Marie Leeder (Victor). She will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Colleen had exemplary high standards in her early years of education which then led her to complete her master’s degree in science at The University of Waterloo.
Her excellent work in her graduate program was highly regarded, which led one of her professors to recommend her for a position with Environment Canada in St John’s Newfoundland.
Colleen accepted this opportunity and in 1985 began her career and life in Newfoundland.
She developed an expertise over the years with provincial and private employers which saw her play important roles in environmental assessments of projects large and small.
Including the Lower Churchill hydro development, Voisey’s Bay Nickel Mine, the Hebron Offshore Oil Development and even the Centennial Bridge to PEI.
She retired in 2019 and cruised the Great Lakes each summer in her boat with Mike and Sonny – her dog, until she became ill. The family is very grateful to Chancellor Park, the staff of 3 East for their excellent care and friendship as well as Dr. O’Shea and Kara the Pharmacist.
The time and dates for Celebrations of Life in both St. John’s and Ontario will be announced at a later time.
In lieu of flowers Colleen would be happy for donations to be directed to Foster Parents Plan Canada.
Thinking of you all at this time.
Sending much love
Mike and family Sincere condolences from Craig Hollett and I on Colleen’s passing. We both had the pleasure of working with Colleen and the privillege of being her friend. She will be in our hearts forever.
Dear Mike and families near and far,
Colleen was indeed a bright light in every way. She is and will be so missed by so many who had the great pleasure to work, live and laugh with her. Thinking of you all. Janet Miller Pitt
Mike and family, so very sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing. I remember Colleen as a quiet girl with a very pleasant personality who was well respected in the Department of Environment. Condolences to all her family and friends.
I’m very sorry to hear this. I met Colleen numerous times during my work at (then) C-NLOPB. Intelligent, capable, and a nice person. My condolences to her friends and family.
My sincere sympathy to Mike and her family and friends. Colleen was one of the most competent people that I ever worked with..
Rex
To Mike, Sarah, and Jess:
So sorry to hear of your loss. Keep your memories close to your hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May she rest in peace.
Mike and Family. We were so sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. Know that our thoughts are with you as you share your remembrances in your celebration of Colleen’s life. RIP Colleen. Glenda and Vince
Mike, and family. I am sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Coleen when she worked in Environment.. She was a nice, quiet person who was very knowledgeable in her field. I am sure she will be missed by all who knew her. May she rest in peace.
To Uncle Mike, Jess, and Sarah:
We were so saddened to hear about your loss. I always enjoyed chatting with Colleen at the Cahill family gatherings. It meant a lot to us that she came to our wedding in December.
Thinking of you all from Fredericton.
Uncle Mike, Sarah, Jess and family,
I’m sorry for your loss. Lots of love, thoughts and prayers to each of you and your families.
Our condolences to Colleen’s Family and Friends. Had never met Colleen but knew about her through her brother Tony and my Sister Ruth.
We are actually visiting the beautiful province of Newfoundland, my first time . On my bucket list was to travel to Newfoundland and see the Icebergs.
Byron and Cathy Boone
I am deeply saddened to hear of Colleen’s passing. I was lucky enough to have worked with Colleen during her tenure with the Environmental Assessment Division. In addition to being a fantastic colleague who I could always count on for informed support, she was a wonderful human being. My condolences to Mike and families; may her memory be a blessing.
I had the pleasure of working with Colleen for several years in The Environmental Assessment Division of The Provincial Environment Department.
She was intelligent, knowledgeable, gentle, fun-loving – simply a wonderful person! I’m deeply saddened to learn of her passing – much, much too young.
Condolences to Mike and her families.
Condolences to you Mike, and families. Colleen was a wonderful colleague in the JW days… dependable, high quality work, and always on time. We had some fun times working on big projects. Quiet with a great sense of humour. Way too young. Thinking of you all.
We’re deeply saddened about your loss. Please accept our sincerest condolence. May the love of family and friends bring you comfort, and may the cherished memories of Colleen remain in your heart forever. She’ll be missed. 🤍🕊️
My condolences to you, Mike and family, for your loss. I met Colleen when we both worked at Provincial Environment, and she was a kind, quiet, friendly person. Her knowledge of the environment and her work ethic were well respected. She was a force then and I expect that did not change in whatever she undertook in life. Colleen, rest in peace.
Mike and family, I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories of happier days help at this difficult time. Colleen was a fighter who never loss hope that things could get better. Mike, I hope you take comfort in your unwavering commitment to always being there for Colleen. Rest in Peace Colleen, you will be missed.
Geoff and I would like to express our deepest condolences to Mike and his family, the Leeder family, and all of Colleen’s friends and colleagues.
I first met Colleen when she worked at Environment Canada and I was with DFO. We later became colleagues at Jacques Whitford and ultimately Stantec, where she earned my deepest admiration and respect. She was an incredible professional and a wonderful person who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Mike and families,
We are so sorry for the loss of your cherished wife, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Lem has so many good memories of being with Colleen on research projects etc. she brought dedication and professionalism to all her work relationships. We hope your many good memories will sustain you through the difficult days ahead..
Lem and Mary
Mike and family, my condolences to you all on the passing off Colleen.. It was my absolute pleasure to have met you both over the past few years. Colleen truly was an inspiration and always found time for a little sense off humour.. She will be dearly missed by all the staff on 3 east at Chancellor Park- rest high on the mountain til we meet again ♥️
I was a colleague on Colleen’s twice in my career – in the Newfoundland provincial government and later at Stantec. Mike and family, please accept my sincere condolences.
Michael and families, I am so sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing. My heartfelt condolences to you and families aat this most sad and difficult time. I met Colleen while working on the Labrador Hydro Project. Always friendly, a great co-worker. She will be missed.
Keith and I were very fortunate to have met Colleen & Mike and Sonny through Marie & Victor. We enjoyed some fun times and lasting memories that we will forever cherish. Taken way too soon……hugs to you Mike and my very good friend, Marie❤️ Colleen was a light. She was a lovely person. She will be missed. Deepest condolences to her entire family💔
Susan & Keith Richards
To Colleen’s family
Pleas3 accept my deepest condolences. As a fisheries biologist first with Jacques Whitford and then with DFO I worked on many environmental assessments for some of the projects mentioned in her obituary as well as many other hydro projects and the initial phases of the Trans Labrador Highway. She was always very forthright respectful and genuine. She was a pleasure to work with and although I lost touch with her during our retirement years reading her obituary brings back many many happy memories. Rest in Peace Colleen and May God grant your family strength and love to get through this difficult time.
Darrin Sooley
Hearts Delight NL