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Leslie Jane Lerner Chaney, 57, a long time resident of New Mexico, was called home to be with Our Heavenly Father on Monday, July 5, 2004, after being hit by a semi on westbound I-40 on June 25, 2004. Leslie was born July 29, 1946 at MacDill AFB, Florida to Hilda Jane (Kitty) and Samuel Lerner. Leslie traveled around the country as an Air Force "brat" until her father retired in 1963 at Walker AFB in Roswell, NM. She graduated from Roswell High School, received a B.S. in Education in New Jersey and received a Masters Degree in Art at the University of New Mexico. Leslie went on to teach in the Newark Public Schools where she did the most she could for her students; which included getting them a ride on a TWA airplane. She also taught at the Zuni reservation and finished her colorful 25-year teaching career in Estancia, New Mexico. In 1968, Leslie became gravely ill from nephritis and was kept alive via kidney dialysis; which was very new at the time. In 1969, her father donated a kidney for a transplant and acquired the finest transplant talent in the world. Leslie and Sam had their surgery at Mount Sinai hospital in New York City and went on to become one of the very first truly successful kidney transplant recipients. Her new kidney lasted the remainder of her life (about 35 years). Leslie divorced her first husband, Stephen Levitt, after hardships resulting from chronic illness and moved back to New Mexico in the early 70's. Not too long after, she met and later married William Safford Chaney Jr. where they remained married until his death in February of this year. Leslie is survived by her father, Samuel Lerner and her brother, Frank Lerner, and his wife, Kathleen, and their two children, Michael and Sarah, all of Albuquerque, NM. Anyone who knew Leslie found her to be loving, generous and having a special zeal for life. Leslie will be missed by all that knew her. Services will be held Saturday, July 10, 2004, at 1:00 p.m. at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel. French Mortuary 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE 823-9400
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