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FLETCHER -- Leslie L. Fletcher, 52, passed away on March 24, 2008, after a two-year battle with ductile and inflammatory breast cancer. Leslie was born at Ft. Knox, KY on April 10, 1955, along with her fraternal twin sister, Linda, to Edward and Pat Lobdell. The Lobdells settled in El Paso, Texas in 1969 and Leslie was a 1973 graduate of Burges High School. She graduated from The University of Texas- El Paso in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. Leslie achieved her Certified Public Accountant certificate in 1980 and worked for the firm of Cooper's & Lybrand in El Paso until 1984. Leslie then moved to Las Cruces and joined the CPA firm of Wall & McKeag. She married James (Jamie) E. Fletcher on February 14, 1986. Leslie and Jamie have two daughters, Rachel, 21, and Jennifer, 19. In 1988, she left the accounting firm of Wall & McKeag and ran her own CPA practice from 1988 to 1999. Leslie was very active in community, NMSU, and civic organizations, helping to promote accounting and educational opportunities for high school students in Southern New Mexico. Dona Ana County Work Force Council, LCPS Scientific Advisory Program, and other school-to-work programs benefited from her expertise. She was the past president of both the Dona Ana Chapter of CPAs, and the Las Cruces Chapter of the American Society of Women Accountants. In 1999, she sold her CPA practice and joined Jamie at the investment firm of Merrill Lynch. She enjoyed the financial planning aspect of her position at Merrill Lynch and rapidly achieved the credentials of a Certified Financial Planner and Wealth Management Advisor. She patriotically supported Jamie's New Mexico Army National Guard career and his activation and deployment for OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE in 2003-2004. Her true callings were the local charities and professional accounting organizations that she loved to support as an officer and a fundraiser. In 2002, Leslie received the Merrill Lynch Lifetime Community Achievement Award for her community service in Southern New Mexico. Leslie was active with the Boards of Directors, committees, and fund-raising efforts for the Healthcare Foundation of Southern New Mexico, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, the Mesilla Valley Hospice, the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces Foundation, and Jardin de los Ninos. As current president of the Thursday morning Mesilla Valley Rotary Club, her special loves were, her fellow Rotarians and the club's many fund raising activities. On February 17, 2008, Leslie, along with her friends, supporters and family, completed the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Ft. Bliss, Texas. She is survived by her husband, BG (Ret) James Fletcher, of Las Cruces, NM; her daughters, Rachel Fletcher, of Austin, Texas and Jennifer Fletcher, of Las Cruces, NM; her parents, Pat and Edward Lobdell of El Paso, Texas; her twin sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Mark Johnson of El Paso, Texas; her uncle and aunt, Don and Jean McGlamery of Prescott, AZ. Additional family members include Jamie's parents, BG (Ret) Charlie and Johnnie Fletcher of Annandale, VA,; sisters, Suzie and Jim Gauthier of Sterling, VA; Margaret and Brad Wilson of Richmond, VA; Anne Cook of Richmond, VA; Mary and Paul Donohue of Winter Park, FL; and MG Charlie and Dale Anne Fletcher, Jr. of Scott AFB, IL. A special thanks to "Leslie's Earthly Angels", "Leslie's Miracle Seekers" and the Wound Care nurses at Mountain View Regional Hospital that came to her aid, support and comfort over the last two years during her valiant fight with breast cancer. The cancer took her body but never conquered her spirit. The moment the Lord whispered in her ear to come with Him, she left us in peace and without pain. A Prayer Vigil service will be held at St Albert the Great (Newman Center), 2515 S. Solano Dr., Las Cruces on Sunday, March 30, 2008, from 3:00 p.m.-3:45 p.m. The Funeral Service will also be held at St. Albert Great Newman Center at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2008. Officiating will be Fr. Mitch Dowalgo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be provided to Jardin de los Ninos, 1300-G El Paseo, PMB 272, Las Cruces, NM 88001. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, corner of Bowman Ave. and Solano Las Cruces, NM 88001 575-526-2419. To sign the local online guest book, go to www.getzfuneralhome.com
        Published on: Fri March 28, 2008