Lesley Ann Parrish

1934 - 2017

Lesley Ann Parrish obituary, 1934-2017, Cortez, CO

BORN

1934

DIED

2017

Lesley Parrish Obituary

Lesley Ann (Leniak) Parrish was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 7, 1934. She left on her last road trip on October 16, 2017 at Mercy Regional Medical Center at the age of 83.
Lesley met and married her sweetheart Richard Parrish in September 1953. They raised three children together, Leanne, Bryan and Deidre. Lesley and Richard had ""sand in their shoes"" most of their lives, moving from Chicago to northern Wisconsin, then to California, Arizona, Utah, and finally Cortez and Cedaredge, Colorado. Lesley and Richard came to Cortez in the 1980s where Lesley continued her career in EMS, mentoring many of the current generation of EMS workers in Montezuma County.
They also spent many years traveling in their motor home throughout the United States. Lesley loved living independently until the time of her final trip to the hospital. She and her sidekick Oreo would often be seen walking Montezuma Avenue in Cortez. She will be missed by her family and her community.
Lesley was preceded in death by her husband Richard. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Leanne and Gary Buck of Dolores, CO; son, Bryan Parrish of Phoenix, AZ; and daughter, Deidre Brewer of Moab, UT. She will be missed by her grandchildren, Peter Weldon of Los Angeles, CA; Katy Samora of Cortez, CO; Trevor Mott of Logan, UT; Nicholas Mott of Moab, UT; Andrew Kelly and Elora Kelly of Moab, UT; Faith Parrish of Cortez, CO; and Heather Parrish of Phoenix, AZ. Lesley also had great-grand children: Hope Weldon of Los Angeles, CA, Naomi Kelly of Moab, UT, and Kaydence and Teagun Samora of Cortez. A memorial service will be held in the spring.
The family requests that in lieu of cards or flowers, that you practice random acts of kindness as Lesley would.

Published by The Journal on Oct. 20, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
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Leanne and family,
I loved having Lesley and Oreo as neighbors. I enjoyed our visits. Lesley had a zest for life and I treasure the memories we made. We shared a lot of laughs.

Cyndi Foote

October 27, 2017

I met Lesley in 2016, she was such a joy, and I instantly became interested in hearing about her travels and life. I enjoyed every encounter I had with this amazing woman. Rest in the joy you gave to this world. You will be missed.
Much love and friendship, and prayers to the family.

Sincerely,

Kelly Parker

Kelly Parker

October 23, 2017

Thank you, Pal, for all the memories. We shared thoughts on books we read, movies we'd watched, how to fix the problems of the world and what recipe was best for everything from artichoke ciabatta bread to fried zucchini. We spoke on the phone nearly every day. Who is going to be there to hear the latest and greatest silly story about my goofy dogs? When Lesley came to visit for Cookie Exchange or Fourth of July...the party was always more fun because of her sense of humor and pleasant company.

She was one of a kind, yet typical of her generation. She loved life with all it's warts and imperfections. Most of all she loved her family, her beloved partner in life Dick and their children, Leanne, Bryan and Dede. I know they will miss her even more than I miss her.

Rest in peace, old girl...I'm glad to have known you.

October 22, 2017

Dear Parrish Families,
I text Lesley last week to let her know I'd be back in town and wondered if we could have breakfast one of the days. I did not hear from her. Our mutual friend Steve called me a few days ago, and could not get ahold of her, and his call to me last night sent trouble signals to me when he told me her phone was disconnected I tried calling also, and I got the same message.. Thus, no reply to my text..
In being told my dear friend had passed away, I was devistated. My heart is broken and I will miss this wonderful sweet friend for the rest of my life, There will always always be a void. Lesley loved her life, and took her hard knocks with grace. The last several years had been tough on Les, and she commented reciently to me about how lucky she had been to live as long as she has..
We took care of many people when we worked together at the hospital, and she knew her physical problems and the limits it gave her, but she made each day count. She was one of the strongest women I've ever known.
You are on your final journey my sweet friend, I miss you already, but we will meet each other in another time and place. Please watch for me, and know Until then, I will always cherish our love and friendship until then.

Debby Sutch

October 21, 2017

I was so sad to hear of Lesley's passing. She and I go back to being friends at Ebinger Grammar School and Taft High School, both in Chicago, IL Both Joyce Johnson and myself have kept in touch with her all these years. May she now rest in peace after undergoing many physical challenges these past few years. Last we saw her was when she traveled to the Chicagoland area for our last high school reunion and got to spend quality time with each other.

Goodbye dear friend. Rest in peace.

Anita (Nehring) Petersen

Anita Petersen

October 21, 2017

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