Resident of Newark, California
Former resident of Forest Park, Illinois
Lesta was born in Oak Park, Illinois on February 8, 1947 to Lester and Lorraine Bestwick. Lesta passed away after a valiant fight against various cancers on August 13, 2022 at her home in Newark, California. She was predeceased by her parents, her cherished in-laws John and Patricia Hemstreet, as well as her brother Rick. Lesta married John “Jack” Hemstreet on Christmas Eve in 1966. They celebrated their 50th anniversary on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii.
Lesta proved throughout her life that she was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother (to Brian and Melissa), aunt and finally grandmother (to Payton, Savannah and Chloe). Lesta’s well-tuned mix of love and firmness in caring for others was not only known by her family but also all those she came in contact with personally and professionally. Lesta enjoyed several hobbies throughout her life like reading, researching family history, collecting Dolls and knitting. Lesta was a beloved Aunt to many nephews and nieces, But the one thing that truly brought great joy into her life was, and still is, her grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to shower her grandchildren with great love, support and praise. While we cannot see her physically, we know she is in a place spiritually where she maintains her watchful eye over each of us, but especially her grandchildren.
Lesta is survived by: brothers Stewart (Marjorie) and David (Lyla) Bestwick and sisters Kileen (Louie) Koutromanos and Peggy Glenn, brothers in-law Thomas (Gina), Robert, Terrence, and Richard Hemstreet and sisters in-law Janet (Bill) Luneback, Patti (Brad) Follett, Marybeth (Steve) Bukovach, Laurel (Fred) Lamb.
A private family service will be held October 21st.
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