Leslie Weeks

Leslie Weeks, beloved daughter, sister, and aunt, passed away on June 4 in Voorhees, NJ, where she was recovering from surgery for a broken leg. She was born September 20, 1962, at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ, to Hedley “Ted” and Barbara “Bobbie” Weeks. She grew up in Mountainside, NJ, the youngest of five sisters. Having been born with developmental disabilities, Leslie had a challenging but happy childhood, and her loving family helped her in every way they could. She enjoyed being taught by her sisters. She learned her alphabet, her address, the days of the week, the months of the year, and many other useful facts, all put to music, to help her make important connections in her mind.

Despite her learning disabilities, Leslie was very athletic. She learned to ride a bike at a young age and was always playing with her older sisters. As a young adult, she competed successfully in the Special Olympics in many disciplines from softball to bowling to basketball and swimming. With the help of the amazing advocates and staff at Bancroft Neurohealth (www.bancroft.org), she learned to live independently. She had a job and did her own shopping and cooking. 

Given her upbringing, Leslie loved to sing. She was a long-time and enthusiastic member of Joyful Noise, a choir for adults with special needs. The group sang in many prestigious locations, including Yale and Harvard Universities. She loved Christmas Carols. Her favorite church song was “Jesus Loves Me”. (He most certainly did.)

Leslie loved her nieces and nephews. She also had a special affinity for animals. If she wasn’t playing with one of the children, she was petting a dog or had a cat in her lap. She especially loved it if one of the pets slept in her bed.

Leslie was predeceased by her sister, Lindsay, in 1982, her mother in 2021, her nephew, David, in 2023, and her father earlier this year. She is survived by her sisters Kathleen Flath(Jim), Kristy Boyce (Wayne), and Laurie Thomas (Pat); nephews/nieces Evan, Ben, Michael, Jamie, Julianne, Lindsay, Ronnie, and Craig; and great grandnephews/nieces Mira, Charlie, Lily, Danny, Ella, Sofia, Mackenna, and Emmy.

A memorial service will be held for her at the Community Presbyterian Church of Mountainside, 1459 Deer Path, on June 29 at 1:00 pm.