Leslie Elizabeth Pilgrim was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, June 11, 1948. She grew up in Minneapolis where she attended St. Albert the Great Grade School and Regina High School. She began college at the University of Minnesota as a pre-med student, but chose to interrupt her education to enlist in the US Navy. Upon discharge from the Navy, she returned to the Twin Cities and college, changing her major to Accounting (“No one will die if I don’t get the books closed on time.”). Upon graduation, she was employed as Controller of several retail stores. She continued her education and received an MBA from the College of St. Thomas. She was a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Leslie moved to Florida in 1989 to escape the Minnesota cold. She was working for the University of South Florida, Tampa in 1991 as its Grants Manager when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Because her MS was not remitting, her condition steadily deteriorated, rendering her blind and totally disabled. She was moved to a nursing home in December 2004.
She died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 in St. Petersburg, FL.
Leslie loved living. She loved all people, unconditionally, often saying, “All God’s critters got a place in the choir.” Leslie made friends easily and kept them forever. Her mind sparkled. There were few subjects or issues that did not interest or invoke a desire in her to study more in-depth. She was a voracious reader of material available from the Library of Congress, the Xavier Society, and many other sources of electronic reading material. Although living in a nursing home, she often referred to herself as a “woman of leisure” who had the time to indulge her thirsty appetite for knowledge.
Leslie was a saint, inspiring everyone whose path she crossed to live their lives fully, even in the face of debilitating circumstances. Those whom she touched loved and admired her generous spirit. She enriched and made a difference is so many lives.
It is with a tremendous sense of loss that we who survive must continue living without her. But we cannot be sorrowful because, once again, Leslie’s blue eyes can see, her legs can carry her, and her hands can play guitar. She is forever free of earthly suffering, leaving behind her beautiful spirit that will reside in the hearts of those who love her. Even in death, Leslie continues to enrich our lives as we remember how fortunate we are to have been loved by such an incredible woman. It is with certainty that we believe she is now a critter in God's heavenly choir.
Leslie is survived by her long-time friend and caregiver, Virginia Ryan; her brother, Raymond Pilgrim, and his family; Virginia’s family (Lezilie’s adopted tribe); and her loving Deaner cousins.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated by Fr. Cletus Watson at St. Mary Our Lady of Grace in St. Petersburg on April 1, 2011 at 10am.
Interment with military honors will follow at Bay Pines National Cemetery at 2:15 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the following not-for-profit cat and kitten rescue organization:
Save Our Strays, Inc. www.saveourstraysinc.com
P.O. Box 373, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
Leslie was a brave and courageous woman who positively impacted the lives of all who knew her. It was an honor to have her in our lives. Rest in peace until we meet again…
On the Death of a Beloved Though we need to weep your loss,You dwell in that safe place in our hearts When no storm or night or pain can reach you. Your love was like the dawn Brightening over our lives, Awakening beneath the dark A further adventure of color. The sound of your voice Found for us A new music That brightened everything. Whatever you enfolded in your gaze Quickened in the joy of its being; You placed smiles like flowers On the altar of the heart. Your mind always sparkled With wonder at things. Though your days here were brief, Your spirit was alive, awake, complete. We look toward each other no longer From the old distance of our names; Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath, As close to us as we are to ourselves. Though we cannot see you with outward eyes, We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face. Smiling back at us from within everything To which we bring our best refinement. Let us not look for you only in memory, Where we would grow lonely without you. You would want us to find you in presence, Beside us when beauty brightens, When kindness glows And music echoes eternal tones. When orchids brighten the earth, Darkest winter has turned to spring; May this dark grief flower with hope In every heart that loves you. May you continue to inspire us: To enter each day with a generous heart. To serve the call of courage and love Until we see your beautiful face again In that land where there is no more separation, Where all tears will be wiped from our mind, And where we will never lose you again. John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, p. 171.
I remember Leslie having a beer and a cigarette with Dad while they discussed who knows what, but between them they could right the wrongs and fix the world.
I believe they are now sharing a new relationship, and I am hopeful that the conversations still include enjoying a good cold one or two.
Leslie stayed with us for a time between Nursing homes… That time was precious… We used to solve nearly every problem in existence.{of course with a beer and a cigarette]And, we laughed at nearly everything….
I hope she is dancing somewhere….Probably listening to other Angels complain…I know that she is still enjoying her sight,loving the colors,Just busy staring at everything
She was the smartest person I ever knew….And, she endured M.S. with such grace [God owed her that].How appropriate that Our Lady Of Grace is to conduct her farewell Mass….She was loaded with GRACE
I’ve been trying to find Leslie for sometime now online. I sort of had a feeling that I would see this. But I loved Leslie very much and hated seeing someone with such a brilliant mind suffer. I just wish I had been able to tell her how much I missed her before she left this Earth. I trust that she knows this and I am happy that she is where she belongs now – in a world that is bright and full of endless happiness. She’s got a lot of good people to be with and I’m sure she will make the best micro-brew in all of Heaven.
You will be so deeply missed.
I’m glad you went back to Florida – I really did feel that was where you belonged in your final few years.
Love – “Trixxi”
Still miss you to this day my little sister. Being I am 70 now it will not be long before we meet again. Save me a good spot will yah?