Leslie Askew (née Hamilton)

February 11, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
It is with great sadness that the family of Leslie Askew (née Hamilton) announce her sudden passing on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 at the age of 69.
Leslie is survived by her former husband Michael (Shelley), two children, Amy and Shaun (Cassandra) and two granddaughters, Amelie and Carolyn. Sisters, Leigh, Beth (Bruce), Jill and Darci, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family.
Leslie was predeceased by her parents, Brian Hamilton and Shirlea Armstrong, and an infant sister, Chris.
Leslie was born in Kimberley, British Columbia, the second of five girls. She attended Lindsay Park Elementary School until the family's move to Cranbrook in 1963 where she attended Central School, Laurie Junior Secondary and then graduated from Mount Baker Senior Secondary in 1971.
Leslie participated in various school activities and clubs: cheerleading, ski club, yearbook, photography and theatre. She enjoyed ballet, Brownies and Girl Guides, and was a Corporal in the Cranbrook Girls Bugle Band.
After graduation Leslie attended Henderson Business College in Calgary and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi.
After returning to Cranbrook, Leslie embarked on a 35-year career with the BC Provincial Government where she held varying positions before retiring in 2017.
Leslie was thrilled to become a grandmother first in 2009, and was so excited to welcome another granddaughter in 2021. Seeing her children become parents and spending time with her granddaughters brought her so much joy.
Leslie recently participated in the 2019 Cranbrook Girls Bugle Band reunion, riding on the float in their final Sam Steele Parade. She was instrumental in organizing three Mount Baker grad reunions and was currently planning their 50+2 Grad Reunion.
Leslie was a voracious reader with at least one thick hardback library book on the go. She was also a strong competitor in any board game, especially Trivial Pursuit. She could retain mind-boggling trivia and facts. Leslie was a talented wordsmith and spent countless hours blogging and corresponding on social media, making friends across the globe.
Leslie's love of camping took her to many spots in British Columbia and the Western States, including frequent trips to her favourite spot in Idaho.
She visited San Diego in 2014 with some friends she'd met through her blog, and she embarked on a trip-of-a lifetime to Scotland and Ireland in 2019. In January 2020 she travelled to Disneyland with her children and granddaughter. She excitedly shared her travels with her online communities via her enthusiastic and detailed journaling.
Fiercely independent, passionate, and enthusiastic about the things she cared about, whatever Leslie did, she did 100 percent. She was unwavering in her beliefs and whoever she loved, she loved wholeheartedly. She was brilliant and shone her light everywhere. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
A Memorial Service will be held on April 29th 2023 at 11:00 am at Christ the Servant Parish, 1100 14th Avenue South Cranbrook BC.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.markmemorial.com
Mark Memorial Community Funeral Home in care of arrangements (250) 426-4864



Mark Memorial Community Funeral Home