Dorothy Jean Leslie, 88, of Vero Beach, passed away on Oct. 20, 2014, at the Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach while under Hospice care.
She is survived by her children Vickie Jean Griffith of Fort Pierce, Raymond “Gary” Leslie and Dale Curtis Leslie (Cynthia), of Port Huron, Mich., and Russell Wade Leslie (Alice Worland), of Oakland, Calif.; grandchildren Damon Alan Griffith of Boardman, Ohio and Shana Jean Griffith; and one great-granddaughter, Shania Griffith of Port Huron, Mich.
Leslie was born in Memphis, Tenn., on Nov. 22, 1925, to Hammond and Ethyl Pollard. In 1943 she graduated from South Side High School in Memphis. She was employed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. with the Army Service Forces during WWII.
On return from Washington, while volunteering at the Army Hospital in Memphis, she met and married Raymond Carl Leslie. Together they moved to Port Huron, Mich., where they lived for 30 years.
She retired from Prestolite Wire in 1982. Other employments included the Chamber of Commerce and some short term at Sperry’s and Women’s Benefit Association in Port Huron.
Leslie moved to California in 1982, to the Bay Area, where she was employed at Nicolet Computer Graphics in Concord, Calif. When she retired from there in 1992, she visited Vero Beach, where she became a resident. It was here she met her companion Jay C. Miller.
Early in retirement Leslie enjoyed ballroom dancing, Audubon bird walks and was a volunteer at the Lindsay Museum in Walnut Creek, Calif., this was a home for injured birds and other wildlife. Always active, Leslie was on bowling teams, tried a little tennis and golf. Very early on it was keeping tabs on her four children, attending their games and school activities. Travel and biking were also very big on her to do list well into her 70’s.
Later when reduced to exercise, short walks and the computer, TV sports, wildlife, news, concerts and meetings of local interest, Leslie kept busy organizing photos for the children. Along with this were stories of “things I remember” for later in their lives. As always, Leslie remained strong in her Christian faith.
Interment will be at Memorial Park in Memphis, Tenn.
Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
