Leslie Lynn Cakora

Leslie Cakora, beloved daughter of Henry (dec.) and Alice Cakora of Pekin, IL and Joy Hare of Baltimore, MD, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 11:58pm in Westminster, MD following complications from Alzheimer’s disease. She was 65 years old.

Leslie led a remarkably vibrant, eclectic, and accomplished life. While young, Leslie’s artistic spirit emerged first in music where she was a gifted pianist (her favorites being Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Chopin’s Polonaise Op.40) and a singer (at home with family and in PCHS choir, Melody Maids). She developed a love of haute couture fashion which took her to Western University to major in Fashion Merchandising and then to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. It was then that her love of Chicago began. Forever after, Leslie considered it her home and an integral part of her identity.

Her creative talent was known in the professional world where she was a freelance art director, set designer, and prop stylist for well-known clients/accounts: American Girl, Crate & Barrel, Marshall Fields, Kenmore, Laurie Rubin Photography, DeBeers, McDonald’s and Jenn-Air.

Outside of work, you would never see Leslie without a camera around her neck or in front of her face. She had a knack for capturing the essence of a person or a moment. Her work was showcased in various venues in Chicago and her 9/11 photos were featured in the Pekin Times.

As an avid collector, Leslie possessed an extraordinary eye for style and history. Her striking thrift shop, antique store and sidewalk finds include abstract oil paintings and sculptures, black and white photography, mid-century modern furniture and glass vases of all shapes and colors, vintage costume jewelry (Eisenberg Originals), Chinese medical dolls, antique weapons and canes, rocks and books about rocks, antique memorabilia & oddities (think Civil War daguerreotypes, dental tooth shade sample color wheel). A walk through her apartments was like a trip through a beautifully curated museum. Yes, an oddly disturbing one at times but beautiful, nonetheless.

Leslie truly “never knew a stranger” and was always the first to offer a helping hand or hand out uplifting compliments. Her warmth extended to everyone she met, from high-profile clients to the homeless gentleman outside her gym with whom she shared daily conversations.

While Leslie faced some personal heartbreaks, she focused her energy on resilience and personal growth. It sustained her immensely to know that she would achieve what she considered her greatest lifetime accomplishment: to leave this world, proud, strong and sober.

Leslie is survived by: Alice Cakora of Pekin; Joy Hare of Baltimore; Mack Cakora and wife (Rhonda) of Pekin; their children, Ryan Cakora and Jaclyn (Cakora) McClain; Gay (Cakora) Dietz and husband (Tom) of Hampstead, MD; their children, Caliann, Josh & Sean Dietz; Chris (Cakora) King and husband (Tom) of Silver Spring, MD; their children, Will and Molly King; Mykah and Tasha Netzky, and Baby (loyal dog).

In keeping with her lifelong spirit of giving and contribution, Leslie chose to donate her body to the Maryland Anatomy Board to aid in medical education and research. She wanted no services but asked that donations be given in her memory to these charities (or your favorite):

TAPS (Tazewell Animal Protective Society): tapsshelter.org, 309-353-8277

Alzheimer’s Association: alz.org (GIVE IN HONOR & MEMORY button)