Our hearts are broken; Lesley passed away after a short and valiant fight against AML with her family by her side. Not only was she my sister, she was my very best friend. There are no words to adequately describe what we shared. In recent years we were lucky enough to travel extensively and I am left with so many amazing memories to look back on and cherish. Les had always hoped to be an Aunt and the day Lindsay was born, a very special bond was formed. From the countless sleepovers to summers spent living with Auntie Les, to Lesley teaching Lindsay how to skate and ride a bike, their special love for each other only grew more. They shared so many adventures together and were always planning or looking forward to the next big one.
There were very special people in Lesley’s life, our cousin Stuart and his wife Cathy, their children Mark and Lori and their granddaughter Keeley. Also, her goddaughter Ellen and her daughter Isabel.
Lesley had many good friends over her lifetime, some as far back as her wild and crazy teenage years. Neither time nor distance curtailed these friendships. Everywhere Les went new friends were sure to follow.
Lesley always gravitated to children and they to her. I can’t tell you how many people young and old called her “Auntie Lesley”. Keeley and Isabel always loved when they could spend time at our house.
Anyone who knew Les knew her to be a kind, caring, loving person who we know will be missed dearly by all.
Just this morning one of her long-time friends sent the below passage that capture our feelings so beautifully.
Her Journey’s Just Begun
Don’t think of her as gone away –
Her journey has just begun
Life holds many facets
The earth is only one
Just think of her as resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days or years
Think how she must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness can really pass away
And think of her as living
In the hearts of those she touched
For nothing loved is ever lost –
And she was loved so much
Lesley’s wishes were to be cremated with no funeral service. Instead she wanted a celebration of life where happy memories could be shared. Due to Covid this will take place at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations in memory of Lesley can be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
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Friday June 18th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lesley Anne Coates Friday June 18th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Milton, Province: Ontario