Obituary of Leaf Dumont Kretz

In Loving Memory of Leaf Dumont Kretz

Scholar, Mentor, Unicorn

1977 – 2025

Leaf lived a life rooted in purpose, compassion, and unshakable dedication to social justice.  They had immense love for their family, their siblings and niblings. They were a cherished sibling, child, cousin, friend, and teacher—a person whose brilliance was matched only by the depth of their heart.

Leaf was tireless in their pursuit of knowledge, not for the sake of prestige, but for the promise of liberation. As a professor, writer, and artist they created spaces for learning that were brave, transformative, and fiercely inclusive. They guided students and colleagues alike through the complexities of feminism, structural oppression, and the subtle violence embedded in normalized systems of identification. With clarity and care, Leaf helped others see what had long been hidden—and enabled them to imagine something better.

Their work was not limited to the page or classroom. Leaf believed deeply in dialogue, in slowing down to ask hard questions, in sitting with discomfort as a path toward healing. They facilitated conversations that were raw, vulnerable, and real — conversations that changed people. They did not shy away from conflict or pain, because they knew that the work of unlearning and reconstruction demanded both courage and tenderness.

Leaf carried immense hope for a more equitable and loving world, and they worked every day to make it real. Their commitment was unrelenting, and their optimism never naïve — it was a choice, a discipline, a form of resistance.

Leaf lived in deep alignment with their values, and their commitment to compassion extended to every living being. They were a devoted vegan by choice, not out of trend, but from a steadfast belief that no creature should suffer for human convenience. Their love for animals was fierce and tender, and they were a strong advocate for those without a voice. Daily, Leaf nourished their spirit through meditation and soulful singing to help them find peace and clarity.

Of course, it would be impossible to speak of Leaf without acknowledging their unmistakable touch of magic. While some might call it eccentricity, those who knew them best understood that Leaf was, at least partially, not of this world. They knew the language of unicorns and offered their living space to both animal and fairy friends. Their home was part library, part apothecary, part enchanted forest. Their magic was less about spectacle and more about presence—a way of seeing the world that reminded the rest of us how to wonder, listen, and believe.

Though they left this world far too soon, their impact is indelible. Leaf’s ideas, writings, art, and way of being have rippled outward across communities, institutions, and hearts. They made us better—more honest, more curious, more human.

They will be deeply missed by all who knew and learned from them. The space they leave behind is immense, but so too is the legacy they’ve gifted us.
 

We will hear you in the wind, see you in the trees, and speak to you with our spirits.

Be at peace within the heart of nature.

We love you Leaf!

Please join us for a religious free Celebration of Life between 1-5pm on April 13th at Coppolas, 203 Carlton St., St. Catharines. 
If you wish to donate to a charity on behalf of Leaf, they requested the David Suzuki Foundation.