Ann Elizabeth “Betty” Leslie
06/20/1916 – 10/08/2011
Ann Elizabeth Leslie passed away on the morning of October 8th. A long time Santa Barbara resident, “Betty” will be missed by her large family and many friends. She is remembered as a strong and vibrant woman and her elegance and beauty graced the many wonderful years of her life.
Born in Elko, Nevada, Betty’s family moved to Santa Barbara when she was six years old. She attended Roosevelt School and La Cumbre Jr. High. She graduated in the class of 1932 from Santa Barbara High School before attending college at Occidental and graduating from UCLA. She began her teaching career in Santa Paula. Betty married her husband of 53 years, Lawrence (Les) Leslie in 1939, and the couple settled in Santa Barbara where Les taught art at the same school that he had graduated from – Santa Barbara High, and they raised their four children.
Betty was very active in charities, including The National Charity League and Assistance League, promoting college scholarships for women with the AAUW, and even until recently a volunteer at the Vista Del Monte fitness center. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority at UCLA and the Back Fence Club.
Betty was an avid bridge player, winning highest points the week of her death. She enjoyed traveling to visit family all over the world, especially Japan. In recent years she kept daily contact with her family around the world using iChat and Skype, on her laptop and iPad. She was never afraid of learning something new.
Betty is survived by her children, Carol Leslie Squier (Middleton) of Santa Barbara and Leysin, Switzerland; John Leslie (Nancy) of Davis Creek, California; Susan Huber (Brent) of Tokyo, Japan and Quincy, California; and Tina Leslie (Sandra Wayman) of Ojai, California. She is known as Nana to her loving seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. The family thanks Susan Gibson for her loving care of Betty.
Betty did not want a public service, but private prayers and thoughts are most welcome. Donations may be made to a favorite charity in her name.