Leslie Ann Carrasquillo

Leslie Ann Carrasquillo, 73, of Mountainside, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2026, following a courageous and prolonged battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, Leslie was raised in Hasbrouck Heights by her parents, James Raymond (“Ray”) and Audrey (née Horan) Jordan. She was the beloved sister of Lynne McCarthy and Tracey O’Connor (née Jordan), and was predeceased by her brother, William Jordan.

Leslie was a graduate of the Berkley School of Fashion, class of 1974, and went on to build a distinguished career in the fashion and retail industry. She served as a buyer for Macy’s and Lord & Taylor at their flagship New York locations, and later founded her own successful retail merchandising business. Through her work, she represented nationally recognized brands including Dooney & Bourke and Fownes, earning respect for her professionalism, taste, and integrity.

In 1989, Leslie met her husband, Gilbert Carrasquillo. They were married soon after and built a life together grounded in love, partnership, and mutual support. Leslie was a steadfast presence throughout Gilbert’s doctoral studies at Rutgers University, and together they welcomed their son, Colin, in 1992. The family settled in Mountainside in 1997, where Leslie made her home for nearly three decades.

After her diagnosis and over the course of nearly ten years, she faced her illness with remarkable strength, grace, and resilience. Her faith, optimism, and determination left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Leslie found joy in gardening, decorating, traveling with her family, and spending time with close friends. Above all, she cherished her family and the life they built together.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 34 years, Gilbert Carrasquillo; her son, Colin Carrasquillo; her daughter-in-law Brianna; and her sisters, Lynne McCarthy and Tracey O’Connor. She will be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, loyal sister, caring aunt and a woman of quiet strength and enduring kindness.

Leslie Ann Carrasquillo will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to:

Center For Hope
Hospice and Palliative Care
1900 Raritan Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
https://cfhh.org/donate/