Leslie Dodge Anderson

It is with great love and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Leslie Carolyn Dodge Anderson (age 80) on September 26, 2025. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s, she passed at home surrounded by her loving family and friends. Leslie was a devoted wife, mother, and nana, whose life was defined by kindness, optimism, strength and loyalty.

Leslie was raised in Kahala, Hawaii by Dr. Richard Samuel Dodge and Eleanor Aycock Dodge, along with her three siblings Rick, Diana and Randy. Leslie grew up by the ocean, and its beauty became a love that stayed with her all her life. She attended the Punahou School (class of 1963), became a champion and well decorated swimmer, avid surfer, and member of the Outrigger Canoe Club Waikiki. Leslie was blessed to grow up in Hawaii when it was a territory and became the 50th state. She swam competitively in the salt water of the Waikiki Natatorium and called Duke Kahanamoku not just a swimming mentor but a family friend. Upon graduating from Punahoe, Leslie continued her swimming career at the University of Oregon where she was also a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. After college, Leslie became a flight attendant with American Airlines, where her adventurous spirit soared—literally and figuratively. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Capt. Richard Anderson of the United States Coast Guard. Together they built a marriage that lasted almost 60 remarkable years, a testament to their unwavering devotion to one another. They lived for many years in Hawaii, California, Virginia, West Virginia, Massachusetts and finally New Hampshire where they settled for 28 years. Together they raised three children that were their pride and joy. Leslie worked for almost 20 years in the airline industry as a Supervisor for US Airways followed by a short career as a real-estate agent before retiring.

Leslie was most proud of her family and being a devoted and loving wife, mother and nana. She had a love for travel, the outdoors especially the ocean, water sports and long-distance running. She proudly completed three Honolulu marathons with each of her children and was running up until her diagnosis. She had a love for gardening, reading, golden retrievers, and Hawaiian melodies that reminded her of home. She also enjoyed dancing with her husband especially to Don Ho’s “I’ll remember you” or any ABBA hit.

Her warm heart, generous Aloha spirit, quiet strength and grace touched all who knew her. Her family takes comfort knowing she is at peace, and they will carry forward her joy for life, her kindness toward others, and her love for the ocean and the islands that shaped her. She was our bridge to a Hawaii that once was. She will be dearly missed and leaves legacy of love and resilience that will continue to inspire her family for generations to come.

She is survived by her husband Richard, and their three children: Christopher Anderson of Copenhagen, DK, Erik Anderson (wife Cheryl) of Brookline, MA, and Kimberly Anderson Lewis (husband Greg) of Boston, MA. She was the proud nana of six cherished grandchildren: Conrad, Telma, Charlotte, Preston, Grace and Owen. She is also survived by her brother Rick Dodge, her brother-in-law Bill Anderson and his wife Joan, as well as her cousin Heather Putnam.

Leslie will be honored with a Celebration of Life service at Church of Our Savior in Brookline, MA later this fall followed by a family ceremony in Honolulu, HI later in the year.