Went, reluctant, into that good night January 1st, 2020 in Victoria, B.C. Born in the Weald of Kent, Lesley was a country girl who grew to be an exceptional lady. She was blessed with the gift of curiosity and the wit to feed it. She married two writers, Jack who took her to Spain to write his novel, then to Canada where she joined hands with Phil and went around the world. Sharing their passion for good writing, good music, good food. Lesley was vivacious, sensuous and feisty. Loved the warmth and company of old friends. Was an excellent cook, admired a well-crafted martini (Beefeaters, very dry, twist of lemon) and never turned her back on a challenge. She won awards as an actor, hiked the West Coast Trail, drove for a year with Phil and daughter Denbigh through Europe and North Africa, scuba-dived deep in the Bahamas, freightered to New Zealand, tangoed to Buenos Aires. Was a tad Welsh, spoke good French, adored the dancing of Astaire and Fosse – and barely worth mentioning, forbade pyjamas.
A few of her favourite things…
laughter, an armful of Siamese cats purring, days at sea, discovering London and Paris as a very young woman, Joni Mitchell’s music, ditto Charles Aznavour, Sondheim, reading/rereading Dickens, Austen, Lessing, Munro, Rankin, Yeats, Dylan Thomas – the list is long, time grows short…
Lesley was the loving mother of Denbigh and her husband Skip, beloved Nana to grandchildren Alison and Jack, and Phil’s partner in love and life for fifty-five extraordinary years,
Thankyou, my Piu,
You completed me, I completed you.
20 Responses
Dear Phil and family!
We wish you strength with the loss of your lovely Lesley.
John and Josie loved you both very much as the “neighbors
from England”.
They savored the ultimate Gin and Tonic and the stories
about theater and of your adventures around the world.
We, the Dutch/Canadian children were always looking forward
to the traditional visit at your patio with Lesley as the perfect hostess.
Lesley, we will deeply miss you and will never forget you.
Phil, we give you all our love in these hard times.
Love and Peace for Ever.
Josie and children.
Lesley was always a delight in our French study group – intellectually sharp, incisively irreverent, and above all a funny, gentle presence. She’s missed by all of us and our condolences to Phil, Denbigh and her grandchildren, and all who knew her.
Dear Phil, Denbigh and the family, so sorry for your loss which I truly share. I met Lesley about 1957 shortly after we both arrived in Canada and we were friends from then on. Lesley was generous in words and actions- a great hostess/cook at the many dinner parties she gave and a spirited guest at any she attended. She enjoyed life and her marriage to Phil doubled the enjoyment. I will miss her very much but I will remember her always as a gleeful, fun-loving friend who was also very caring.
Love Barbara
Dear Phil and family,
I give you my condleances, so sad but so beautifull is the story of Lesley, she really lived her life, I Will remember her as a funny, Charming lady, she could talk for hours, amazing, die was a very living person, beautiful Phil, like you Said You completed me and I completed you, the most beautiful words. With all my love, Maryla Barend Lumkeman
Proud to have known her – Happy memories. Sally and Terry
Dearest Phil, Denbigh, Allison and Jack.
I was so sorry to hear of Aunty ‘Mary’s’ passing and I will treasure the few meetings we had whilst living so far apart. I will never forgot coming to see you both with Papa the year Nanny passed, despite all those years living in different countries, being Sisters they were so similar, the way they laughed, they way they held themselves, it was a great tonic for us and I know Papa (Jack) revelled in the cheeky banter he and Lesley shared.
I hope you’ll take comfort in my thoughts of Lesley and Penny being together again, sharing a glass of rosé.
Sending you all our love at this time, if only the distance between us wasn’t so great.
Sophie, Nick, Emilia and Jack x
My condolences to Phil, Denbigh and family on their great loss. Lesley will be greatly missed and was a special person. Talented, warm and friendly.
Death breaks up the old familiar pattern of the days. We have to work a new one out in unaccustomed ways. At first it seems impossible, but when we’ve dried our tears – we see another pattern being traced out through the years.
Rest in Peace Lesley.
Margaret C.
Dear Phil, Denbigh and family.
So sorry for your loss.
So it has come to an end, as it will, one day for all of us good friends of many, many decades.
Lesley was to me:
Charming, feisty and lots of fun to be with, with serious chats in between in private and peaceful
places, as we shared many such times wheather dining, camping or hiking or simply enjoying
the splendid countryside of Ontario or the beautiful and magnificent nature in British Columbia.
Never to be forgotten, especially with a good glass of wine in hand. Love always, Britt xox
Cher ami,
Of course she would choose a special day to leave us, the day of beginnings and looking to the future. I suspect there was a message there: look forward, while you treasure the past.
It was an honour to know Lesley, so classy, so talented, a model of good taste and creative thinking.
Both of you are held with great affection in our thoughts.
Grosses bises! Claire
Dear Phil, Denbigh and family!
So it has come to an end, as it will, one day for all of us good friends of many, many decades.
Lesley was to me:
“Charming, feisty and lots of fun to be with” with serious chats in between, in private and peacful
places as we shared many such times, dining, camping, hiking and simply enjoying and marvel at the splendid countryside of Ontario and beautiful British Columbia.
Never to be forgotten, especially with a good glass of wine in hand. Love always. Bitt xox