Lesley North

Lesley North passed peacefully at home on February 17, 2019 from atrial fibrillation and a series of ischemic strokes. She struggled bravely to heal in hospital for more than three months. Born on February 11, 1948 in Santa Cruz, California, she has been a resident of Santa Fe for more than thirty years. Her business, Authoritative Word, offered editing services for screen plays, novels, technical reports and legal documents as well as transcriptions of recorded testimony for court trials. She was known for her skill, accuracy, patience and reliability. Lesley will be mourned by the many dear friends she made over her decades in Santa Fe. They knew her as sweet, gentle, loyal and caring. It would be difficult to find a single person on this green earth who was not instantly drawn to her sparkling smile and melodic voice. She was shy and modest. It seemed that she would give her life before offending or hurting. To know Lesley is to love her. Lesley and Gary Lee Nelson met, courted and married in Santa Fe. Their three years together were a celebration of joy, friendship, passion and deepest love. Their union was one of those happy gifts of chance that are given to those who are receptive in the autumn of life. Their conversations and musings ranged far and wide. Their time was filled with music. On any subject, they would eventually ask each other, “isn’t there a song?” Indeed, this traditional Scottish ballad could have been written about this cherished woman. It ends … Did ye see our Bonny Lesley when she rose and crossed the wall? She has flown beyond the heather spreading sweetness over all. Her voice is with the angels singing songs of love and laughter. There’s no equal came before her and none the like will ere come after. Lesley is survived by Robin (sister), Sharlene (aunt), Lauren (niece), Liam (nephew) and Bonny (stepmother). She was preceded in death by Dudley (stepfather) and Kimberly (sister). Her deceased parents, Sonia and Fred, met during WW II so Lesley leaves behind many cousins in Leicester, England. Finally, Lesley is already missed by Lily and Bailey, the sassy cats she loved so fondly.