I learned of Leslie’s passing a few weeks ago. I have been sitting with what to say to remember and celebrate Leslie. Leslie was my gym friend. We worked out together at Curves for years. Curves locations kept closing and members would shuffle to the few that remained. I met Leslie when her club shutdown and she joined my club. I remember when she joined because she walked in, introduced herself to everyone, said we looked great and she would not recognize us when she took off her glasses to exercise. Leslie was hella friendly when many transfer members were shy or mad their location closed. Whenever she ran into her old club she would squint without her glasses then run and hug them.
Leslie and her family were Cantonese like my family so we shared a lot of funny stories and superstitions. I loaned her my copy of the book Crazy Rich Asians. We were obsessed. We shared nuances not everyone would know.
I struggled a lot of steady employment and Leslie would cheer me and offer advice and support. When my Dad got very sick in 2019 she offered support and advice especially getting my Chinese Dad to listen. When the pandemic started and I texted her worried because she was a nurse she called me. She told me to take a leave from my restaurant job to protect me because of my asthma and my Dad because of his health issues.
Leslie was a badass. So sweet, funny and real. She ALWAYS sent me handmade birthday and Chinese New Year cards. I still have them all. My birthday was November 29th a few weeks after Leslie passed. I didn’t know. I still got my card courtesy of her lovely husband Jonathan. I am deeply sad Leslie passed, sad I didn’t know she was ill and so honored to receive my card. Leslie was fighting for her life and still thinking about me in advance. That so beautifully sums of Leslie.
Sending so much love to everyone missing and loving Leslie.
