ZOE DALE LESLIE

With heartache and great sadness, we announce the passing of Zoe Leslie, 65, of Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 26, 2025 at Riverview Health Centre following a two-month struggle with stage IV colon cancer.

Born in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan on a hot summer day, July 19, 1959, Zoe entered the world 10 minutes after her identical twin sister Lorilee. Zoe is predeceased by grandparents Ruth and Edwin Paull and Ann and Frank Leslie, parents; Arlene (Paull) and Bill Leslie, aunts and uncles; Delbert and Helen Paull, Eldon and Marion Paull, Doug and Theresa Leslie, Ron Leslie, Wilf Hayward and Kaz Nowak.

Zoe is survived by her children Melanie Bernard-Leslie (Sean), Andrew Leslie, Janelle Leslie, and Charlie Leslie. She also leaves behind one grandchild, Mylo Leslie, brother Terry Leslie (Peg), children Jessica and Mackenzie (Suzanne) and Peg’s son Alex, sister Lorilee Leslie-Cole (Vernon) and children Aidan Cole, and Taylor Cole (Tom). Also surviving are aunts and uncles; Bernice Nowak (Leslie), Babs Leslie, Barry and Marlene Leslie, Dale Hayward (Paull) and many cousins.

With a father in the Armed Forces, Zoe’s growing up years included 8 schools and homes in Moosejaw, Scarborough Ont., Winnipeg, Trenton Ont., Comox B.C., Novato California, Sacramento California, Ottawa, and finally Winnipeg again when her father retired and she began University. Throughout these years, Swan River Manitoba, and Minitonas Manitoba, were cherished home bases, if only for summer and Christmas holidays. Zoe’s parents Arlene and Bill grew up in these towns and both sets of grandparents and most aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides lived in the 2 towns and on nearby farms. Along with almost constant visiting and dinner gatherings with all the relatives, Swan River’s annual North West Roundup and Exhibition (and parade) were always exciting to see!

While Zoe and Lorilee grew up to have very different interests, careers and lives, they always shared a special bond. They almost took for granted the way they could instantly connect and understand each other. Looking back, being very shy children, they both acknowledged how lucky they were to have each other as best friends growing up when there was so much change and so many new beginnings in their lives.

Zoe started piano lessons at age 6 and continued through to grade 10 level. In Junior and Senior High School, she easily transitioned to playing the clarinet and alto sax. In California, she played in the marching band for school football games and also thoroughly enjoyed performing in concert, stage and jazz bands.

Matching her musical prowess was her success in math, physics and science classes. This high school interest and ability led her to obtain a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in 1981 from the University of Manitoba. She interned at Glow’s Pharmacy on Osborne St., before moving to Whitehorse Yukon for her first fulltime pharmacist position. Whitehorse opened the door to Zoe’s interest in hiking, including the Chilkoot Trail, at age 24, and to exploring the rugged beauty of the Yukon on her motorcycle.

After continuing her pharmacy career in Smithers B.C., Zoe came back to Manitoba, to Morris, where she worked at the hospital and where her first child, Melanie was born. Morris was also where she met Susan and Roger Chartier and family who shared both fun and caring connections with Zoe and her children throughout the years. Andrew was born when the family lived in Letellier, then Janelle and Charlie came along in Winnipeg. The next big adventure involved moving to Churchill for 2 years. The kids all received Polar Bear Safety training at school and ventured out for Hallowe’en with a complement of police and safety officers on patrol. Stories are still told of long snowy skidoo trips, hunting excursions and playing in the town’s huge Complex that housed 2 schools, an ice rink, a library, a swimming pool, a theatre, the health centre, a cafeteria and a huge playground, safe from the cold and the polar bears.

Back in Winnipeg, Zoe secured a Pharmacy Assistant Program Instructor position at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology. Eventually, she moved to Kelowna B.C. where she continued her pharmacy career, made many new friends and was happy enjoying the beautiful scenery before returning “home” once again to Winnipeg.

Zoe loved her summers travelling from Halifax to Esquimalt with the HMCS Chippawa Naval Reserve Band during her 4 years at University. The beauty she appreciated in B.C. over the years led her to join a travel group to Costa Rica. At this time, Zoe was heavily involved in exercise, at the gym, bike riding and hiking. Whitewater rafting in Costa Rica was a special thrill. A trip to Bowen Island last spring to pet sit allowed Zoe to once again enjoy hours of hiking among the massive trees in the old growth forests. 

As Zoe was always ready for a new learning experience, she was proud when she completed MITT’s Rehabilitation Assistant Program at the age of 62.

When Zoe and the kids lived in Winnipeg, they all loved the fun times at Grandma and Grandpa Leslie’s cottage at Clear Lake, holiday celebrations over the years at Lorilee and Vernon’s on the farm in Domain and in Winnipeg, and summer BBQ’s at Terry’s place.

Special memories of her children include get togethers over the years at Melanie’s with Melanie’s friends, riding the Seine River and Monkey Trails with Andrew, joining Janelle at the gym to workout 3 times a week last spring and her weekly dinner dates with Charlie. Zoe was very proud of her children’s personal, educational, work and career achievements over the years as well as them becoming the capable, kind and caring adults they are.

Zoe wanted to share some advice here. Please know that the biannual ColonCheck does not pick up all cancers. If you have persistent symptoms, keep insisting on further testing in order to get accurate answers from a doctor. She asked to give heartfelt thanks to Dr. Silvia George, a GP she switched to after several months of symptoms and doctor visits where a colon cancer diagnosis was not forthcoming. Dr. George immediately discerned a very serious health challenge following questioning and a thorough examination. 

The family would like to thank Drs. B. Goldenberg and DeLisle at CancerCare who offered excellent guidance and support for Zoe. Many thanks go to the doctors and nurses at Concordia Hospital for their very kind care while Zoe was there twice after her one chemo treatment. Sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation to the compassionate nurses, doctors, the medical resident and the health care aides on the 3E Palliative ward at Riverview Health Centre. Special thanks to Rev. Marc Whitehead of Crescent Fort Rouge United Church for the time he spent supporting Zoe and the family on this journey.

At the end, while Zoe was greatly saddened to have her life shortened by cancer, she was very satisfied and happy with most parts of the life she lived; the adventures, her accomplishments, the travelling and fun times and most of all, life with her deeply loved children and grandchild.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, 525 Wardlaw Ave. Winnipeg.

Memorial donations can be made to Save our Seine, or to Main St. Project., 661 Main St., Winnipeg MB R3B1E3 (donations@mainstreetproject.ca)

VITA BENE VIXIT

A Life Well Lived

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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