Leslie Starkey

Born: April 30, 1963 - Leslie Reid McCormick at Overlook Hospital Summit N.J.

Father: Joseph Reid McCormick

Mother: Joan Catherine Emily Bowen McCormick

Married: Robert Steven Starkey August 12, 1991 at First Baptist Church, Highlands N.C.

Left Behind: Mother (Joan) of Cocoa Beach FL, Husband (Steve) Lake Worth FL , Brother Jonathan McCormick of Cary N.C. (sons Jeffrey and Joseph), Brother David McCormick of Cocoa Beach FL (daughters Adrianne and Katy), Brother Robert McCormick of Rochester NY (daughters Madeline and Sophie), Stepson Kevin Starkey (wife: Sara, son’s Hunter and Tanner) of Smoot W.V., Stepson Joseph Starkey of Rainlle W.V., Stepdaughter Kristi Allen (husband Loren, sons Jaxzen and Bodie) of Charleston W.V., Aunt: Barbara Yee of Lake Worth FL

Leslie was born while the McCormick family lived on Hazelwood Avenue in Rahway N.J. in a duplex with the other half of the duplex occupied by her grandparents Robert and Emily Bowen and Leslie’s aunt Barbara. Leslie was the youngest sibling and only daughter - having three older brothers. Much to family’s delight - Leslie was the only child born with beautiful red hair which she kept her entire life. This was attributed to her father’s Irish heritage – her mother having a more English heritage. Leslie was the apple of her father’s eye and had a happy childhood despite have three brothers to contend with. Perhaps having to contend with her brothers helped her to develop a strong will and a determined personality. Through her entire life she could always be counted on to persevere on difficult tasks. Steve referred to her as the “fire department“ because she could always be counted on to arrive and take care of difficult situations. Early on Leslie took an interest in the kitchen, helping her mother or grandmother. The family moved to Pittsburgh and then onto St. Marys PA where Leslie graduated from St. Marys Area High School in 1981. Despite her Irish looks, Leslie’s graduation photo was a mirror image of her mother’s High School graduation photo. Leslie’s first job was in the kitchen of St. Marys Country club where she assisted the chef as a salad girl. The family moved to Binghamton NY at the time of Leslie’s high school graduation. Leslie graduated Sullivan county Community College in NY state with a AA degree in Hotel Technology. Meanwhile she held hospitality positions at Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown NY and the Concord Hotel in the Catskills. Soon after, Leslie became a certified chef in the training program of the Greenbriar hotel in West Virginia. During the training Leslie met the love of her life Steve Starkey. Steve and Leslie were soon inseparable. The entire family gathered around them during a wonderful wedding in Highlands North Carolina while Leslie and Steve worked at the Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Their friends in the staff put together a wonderful reception at the club – with no doubt – Leslie and Steve also contributing to the wonderful event. Leslie and Steve lived a nomadic life following the winter hospitality season in Florida and summers working the mountain resorts. They quickly tired of this and settled down by buying a home in Lake Worth FL. Leslie worked various positions at the Ritz Carlton, Boca Raton Hotel and Club, etc. before she began a 25 year career as the pastry chef of the Gulfstream Golf Club in Boynton Beach FL. She also worked many years at Gulfstream Bath and Tennis and contributed her skills to numerous catering endeavors in the Palm Beach county area. Amongst her specialties were her famous carrot cake and her gingerbread houses. While most people brag that they were able to build a gingerbread house from a kit – Leslie could deliver seven gingerbread houses in one day from scratch. If you ever had the privilege of observing one of her production lines – it was truly awe inspiring.

Leslie enjoyed her family including all her nieces and nephews. She was skilled at pool and billiards. She loved canoe trips and traveling with her husband Steve and Leslie adored Steve’s Black Lab “Sweetheart” and her beloved “Shiloh”. Her favorite color, purple, was throughout her home and often part of her ensemble. Her mascot was the lady bug, a wonderful little gal that protects all in her environment, adds beauty everywhere she goes, and also, like Leslie, no one dares to mess with her. She loved her little stuffed animals and often sought out special ones and presented them to her family members at holidays.

Everyone Leslie touched will remember her for beautiful laugh and smile, her cheerful and happy outlook on life, and the way she always gave and contributed over and above the call of duty.

Please consider a donation in Leslie’s name to your favorite charity.

Some causes that Leslie was passionate about:

Homeless and helping our troops and contractors overseas: Red Cross, USO

Wildlife: Wildlife Conservation Network, National Wildlife Federation

In memory of Leslie Starkey, 6045 Carthage Circle North, Lake Worth FL 33463

Leslie's Florida service:

4pm Wednesday June 13 at Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 3041 Kirk Rd. Lake Worth FL 33461. Actually; family viewing 3pm, open viewing 4pm, service 5pm. I-95 exit is 10th ave...go west to Kirk Rd, then north on Kirk - you will see Gardens and funeral home on left. From FL turnpike take Lake Worth Rd. exit, go east to Kirk Rd, go left on Kirk, once past 10th ave see Gardens and funeral home on left.

Mandy and Patrick have graciously offered to have everyone at their home afterward at 7653 Santee Terrace, LW FL 33467

From service: west on 10th ave, South on Jog Rd, West on Le Chalet, right at circle on Hagan Ranch, left on Moultrie, Right on Santee, 7653 on left

West Virginia Burial Service:Burial is Friday June 15, Keller Funeral Home 1236 Myers Avenue Dunbar, West Virginia 25064Phone: (304) 768-1217

cemetery Grandview Memorial Park, 1313 Hillview Dr, Dunbar, WV. Tel: 304-768-3072