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Obituary for LESLIE


Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Tuesday January 08, 2013

LESLIE, SHIRLEY CHAPMAN Loving mother, devoted grandmother, caring sister and cherished friend left us to be with her Heavenly Father on January 2, 2013. She passed peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family. She is predeceased by her husband Gene Edward (Ed) Leslie, son Todd Edward Leslie, and her mother and father George and Helen Chapman. She is survived by her daughter Kim Leslie, MD and husband Jeff Dunkelberg, MD, son Jeff Leslie and wife Christie Keith, son Paul Leslie and wife Sharon Hutchison Leslie, daughter Kris Leslie Curtis and husband David Curtis, daughter Paige Leslie Baird and husband David Baird, grandchildren Lauren Leslie Dunkelberg, Todd Leslie and wife Amy Wold Leslie, Ashley Leslie, Colin Leslie, Tyler Leslie, Kate Keith Simms, Cody Leslie, Meghan Leslie, Jack Leslie, Kendall Leslie, Katy Curtis, Kassidy Curtis, Patrick Baird and Taylor Baird, and Shirley's brother Walton Chapman and family and sister Kay Ford and family. Shirley was born in Savannah Georgia and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. She attended Texas Tech in Commercial Art. Shirley's first job was in the 1940s as a stewardess for Braniff Airlines out of Dallas, Texas. She met her husband Ed, an Air Force pilot, while working at Braniff Airlines. Shirley and Ed settled in Albuquerque in 1954. They founded Home Planning Development Company, a successful building and development business throughout New Mexico, New Mexico Capital Corporation, and led New Mexico Savings and Loan Association. She was a tremendous supporter of the Republican Party, serving two terms as the National Committeewoman from New Mexico, numerous terms as a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and member of the National Republican Party's Regents. Shirley also devoted herself to supporting the Albuquerque community through her many philanthropic endeavors including: serving as a charter member of the Albuquerque Community Foundation, board member of the UNM Cancer Treatment and Research Center, first woman to chair the Lovelace Medical Center's Board of Advisors, board member of the Lovelace Respiratory Institute, service as the first woman vice president of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, member of the first graduating class of Leadership Albuquerque, board member of the Santa Fe Opera, and serving as one of the first women New Mexico Amigos, membership in the Thursday Literary Club, and Los Amapolas Garden Club. She selfishly devoted her time and energy to giving back to her community and to making Albuquerque and New Mexico a great place to live and raise her children. Shirley is quoted as saying, "If I've passed anything onto my family, I hope it is a sense of responsibility, determination, and integrity." Her family and friends can attest that she did just that. Shirley lost her beloved husband Ed in 1975, leaving her to operate the businesses and raise six children on her own. She did a remarkable job. Our mother was an amazing woman who instilled a sense of integrity in each of us and an understanding of the Lord's presence and blessings in our lives. She valued and practiced close, loving relationships with her friends and family and modeled the importance and strength that flows from loving service to one another and our community. God Bless you and Keep you Mom! Whatever may be good in each of us is because of your steadfast dedication and love. A Funeral Services will be held Thursday, January 10, 2013, at Grace Church, 6901 San Antonio Drive, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 at 10:30am. Donations in Shirley's honor may be made to the Albuquerque Community Foundation at (www.albuquerquefoundation.org) and Albuquerque Rescue Mission at (www.abqrescue.org ). To view information or leave a condolence please visit: www.danielsfuneral.com Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 1100 Coal Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 505-842-8800