Susan Evans Leslie

Susan Evans Leslie (Sue), 83, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her three children – Clark Leslie, Mary Robins, and Susie Leslie - and her loving husband of nearly 60 years, Jim Leslie, after a long battle against Parkinson’s disease. Sue was born in Mattapoisett, MA on February 20, 1941, along with her twin brother Greg, to Harry and Mary Erhard. Sue graduated from Wheelock College in Boston with a teaching degree and moved away from New England but never totally lost her New England accent or her love of the water. She met the love of her life Jim on a blind date in Washington D.C., where Sue was teaching and Jim was stationed as a U.S. Air Force dentist. Jim’s career in the Air Force took the family around the world: from Aviano AFB in Italy, to Caribou, ME, Southern Illinois, Homestead, FL, Madrid, Spain, and retiring from Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio, where Sue earned her master’s degree in education at Wright State.

Throughout their many assignments and later in Bay Village, OH, Sue fulfilled her passion for teaching, specializing in pre-school and kindergarten-aged children, particularly those with special needs. Miss Sue’s devotion, kindness, and endless patience made a positive impact on the lives of many children and their families.

Sue had the most impact on her three children, whom she selflessly raised, showing the value of family, kindness, thoughtfulness, and education.

Nothing made Sue happier than spending time with her three grandchildren, Leslie, Max, and Molly--making Christmas cookies and fudge, sleepovers, sewing Halloween costumes, visiting the library, playing cards, and going to Mattapoisett in the summer, where they’d swim to the raft, go to Gulf Hill, and take walks to Ned’s Point.

Sue loved to sail, whether at Buzzards Bay, MA, Lake Erie, or with family at Seneca Lake.

A southpaw, Sue was always full of fight and determination; she climbed the Sandia Mountain (now lovingly referred to as Sue’s Mountain) in New Mexico in her 70s with her son Clark. Her resilience was never more evident than in her battle against Parkinson’s. She put in years of hard work to delay the disease to spend more time with her family.

Jim was by Sue’s side every step of the way, finding special purpose over the last ten years since the Parkinson’s diagnosis in taking care of Sue, even as she continued to take care of him.

Sue is survived by her husband, James C. Leslie; children, Clark J. Leslie (Kelly), Mary L. Robins (Rocky), and Susan E. Leslie (Trace Foster); grandchildren, Leslie, Max, and Molly Robins; twin brother, Gregory Erhard, and sister, Mary Westgate (Ron); and several nephews. Special thanks to Nancy Postle and her caring staff at Sympatico Healthcare Solutions, who provided almost as much care and love to Sue as her daughter, Mary, tirelessly did.

Calling hours to celebrate Sue’s life will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST in Upper Arlington, Ohio. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Sue’s life and share memories. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mattapoisett Free Public Library in Sue’s memory. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences.

Sue was deeply loved by her family, friends, and all others who had the privilege of knowing her. May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing.

Mom, you moved mountains.