Leslie Kim Wellman

Leslie “Kim” Wellman passed away peacefully in San Diego, California on 1 November 2022 at the age of 62 with her family at her side after a long battle with dementia. Kim is survived by her husband Mike Wellman and her daughter Brittany Wellman, both of San Diego, and her brother Michael Estrin of Huntsville, Alabama. Kim was preceded in death by her father Sherwin Estrin and her mother Mara Estrin, both of Jacksonville Florida.

Born April 4th 1960 in Marietta, Georgia to Sherwin and Mara Estrin, Kim’s early years were spent moving from post to post while her father served in the Air Force. In 1978 Kim graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Springs, Maryland. After briefly attending Montgomery College in Maryland she moved to Southern California putting herself through school working various part-time jobs. She completed general education classes at Golden West College in Huntington Beach and later attended San Diego State University where she completed her Business Administration & Information Systems Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in 1985.

In the summer of 1987 Kim met Mike Wellman, a Navy pilot from San Diego, and they were subsequently married in April 1988. In May 1989 their daughter Brittany was born. In the following years they moved to and from San Diego to Mike’s duty stations, including to Washington, DC twice and overseas to Belgium. The multiple moves of military life made juggling her various roles as wife, devoted mom and working professional incredibly challenging. Yet Kim managed to craft a highly successful and rewarding professional career that spanned over 30 years. Initially working as a software developer and program manager Kim would eventually discover her passion for marketing after obtaining her MBA in 1994 from National University in San Diego. Over the next 22 years she worked for numerous companies rising through the corporate ranks holding positions of Director, Worldwide Director and Vice President of Marketing. In 2008 she started her own company, Exemplar Marketing, LLC working with clients in Utah, Idaho, and S. California until closing down Exemplar Marking in 2016 to focus on enjoying more quality time with Mike, daughter Brittany and close friends in the San Diego area.

Throughout her life Kim was passionate about giving back to the community in every place she lived. Over the years she served a as Hospice volunteer, was active in her church, served as a PTSA President and was a mentor to young women looking to enter the corporate world as well as young military wives who were experiencing the challenges of military life being a wife, mother, working spouse. To the end she remained the kind, gentle, compassionate, beautiful soul who positively impacted so many during her short but wonderful life.

A Memorial Service will be held in San Diego shortly after the new year. All are welcome to attend this celebration of Kim’s life. Exact details will be provided regarding the time, date and location as that information becomes available. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Kim at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate . Condolences can be sent to [email protected] . The family would also like to thank the wonderful caregivers and staff at Villa Lorena, Bridge Hospice and Mobile Therapy for their dedicated, compassionate and professional care of Kim throughout her long journey.