LESLIE ROBIN SPAULDING

Leslie Robin Spaulding Entered this world on April 19, 1961 She sadly and suddenly left us on November 18, 2015 Leslie was born in San Diego. From the moment she entered this world, we knew she was a force to be reckoned with. While a tiny baby, her personality then-and remained so until the end-was larger than life. When Leslie entered a room, everyone was aware of her presence. That was a good thing. Leslie was the delight of her grandparents on her mom's side, “Gramma Bennie” and “Bapoo”. They lavished her in love and life. In many ways, Leslie was much like her Gramma Bennie. While Gramma Bennie was a little lady, she made up for it in a very large personality, which Leslie inherited! Leslie was mom to Aimee, 35, and Bart, 30, grandmother to Aimee's children, Tatum, 7 and Rylen, 4. Her relationship with these kids brought delight and true meaning to her life! They adored her as well. Leslie was daughter to Joyce, sister to brothers Mark and Michael, Aunty to Mark's children, Cole and Cate and sister-in-law to Michelle, Mark’s wife. She was loved by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins and was a devoted friend to many. And, always the life of any party! Leslie had many interests, gifts and talents. At a very young age, she became an avid lover of horses, and as an adult, shared that gift with Aimee. Together they rode and competed in equestrian events. Leslie was gifted in the technology world. Hitting the Tech world at the beginning of its monumental rise and never having taken a typing class, she was amazing. She could make the biggest, clunkiest, PC's hum! Her mom was working at Westmont and Leslie wanted to go back to work after Aimee started school. She was offered a position in the IT department there and soon became Director of IT. In 1993 Leslie, with her extensive history and expertise in IBM systems, joined West Coast Telecommunications and specialized in billing. She excelled in the long distance industry and assumed more responsibility when WCT was acquired by Rochester Telecom, which later became Frontier Communications. Leslie moved on to head all IT at RSL Communications, in Woodland Hills and led the transition of IT operations to Pittsburgh, PA When the telecom industry went through an economically challenged period; Leslie joined the start-up company; “Light Year Partners”. Late she moved to Beijing, China with “eChinaCash”, leading a large group of networking and development staff. Through Leslie’s leadership, the team created and installed a nationwide database system for the worlds largest oil company “Sinopec”, consolidating gas customer’s transaction information from over 17 provinces across China. After several years working in this competitive and stress-filled industry, Leslie returned to the US in search of more meaningful and fulfilling work. She moved from Santa Barbara to Northern California… (Grass Valley/Nevada City) to be close to Aimee, Bart and grandkids. There she entered the skin care and dermatology world. Not completely satisfied, she became a certified health care provider. In was in this environment she found true contentment and brought much happiness to the many elderly couples she served. On October 19th, of this year, she landed her dream job. She became the Director of Atria Senior Living, an assisted living community where she directed the care of over 150 people. She loved this new opportunity and embraced it with her usual passion and vigor. On the eve of her passing, Leslie and her mom shared in a remarkable telephone conversation. "Leslie was ecstatic about her new position, looking forward to learning more and extremely peaceful and content. Talked about Aimee and Bart, and how proud she was of them, and of course, loving the grandkids". Reflecting on that conversation, Joyce says... "It is now a surreal, yet comforting memory!" Suffice to say, there is a huge hurt in all our hearts and a painful time of recovery for all of us. Leslie believed in and trusted in the Lord. We can be confident she is in the "Heavenly Realm" now. And, she has been reunited with "Grampy"... Her mom's beloved husband who entered Heaven’s Gates almost two years ago. Leslie loved him so… and vice versa! We will all struggle as we try to move on. Leslie, however, is at peace! We will miss her high-spirited, very opinionated, sometimes challenging personality. A party, gathering, family dinner will never be quite the same without Leslie. We have joy in our memories… Sorrow in our loss. We toast you, Leslie! A beautiful “Celebration” of Leslie’s life was held in Nevada City, November 22, hosted by her dear BFF’s. A private family and close friends service in Santa Barbara is pending.

LESLIE ROBIN SPAULDING

April 19, 1961 - November 18, 2015