June 5, 1943 to April 9, 2024

Leslie June Lawton entered the world on June 5th, 1943, and passed away on April 9th, 2024. While her mother slept her father filled out her birth certificate with the middle name June because he liked it better than the one her mother had chosen. She was raised in Redwood City, CA with her sister Diana surrounded by many neighbors and friends. Leslie loved books, sports, and school. She was a curious, creative, fun child who made friends easily.

Leslie graduated from Sequoia High School and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from UC Santa Barbara. After teaching for a few years, she attended San Jose State where she studied library science. She loved children and books so becoming a school librarian sounded like the perfect path.

She went to work for the Fairfield-Suisun School District in a school library and then eventually as the District Librarian. She took excellent care of her parents until the end of their lives. After retiring she moved to Penn Valley, CA where she loved kayaking, swimming in the lake, water aerobics and walking in the beauty of the mountains. She enjoyed helping others and spent her time volunteering at the Penn Valley Fire Auxiliary Thrift Shop and with the Lake Wildwood Parks and Rec. Committee. Leslie delighted in volunteering at the Mount St. Mary’s School Library and was much loved by the students and faculty. She was a member of the Lake Wildwood Collectabelles and the Sewing and Quilting Club. She was an avid reader and frequently could be found at the Penn Valley Library.

Leslie did not have children of her own, so she turned all her love for children into magic for her three nieces. Storytelling, music, books, camping, picnics, and trips to the zoo were her favorite spots to take them. School breaks and Summer vacations were often spent at Aunt Leslie’s house. She would often tell stories to her nieces about a bungling family who had to be rescued from their stupidity by their Super Auntie who came to save the day. For this reason, she was given the name Super Auntie which she carried throughout her life as a badge of honor.

Leslie is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Dorthy and her Brother-in-Law, John Edmonds.

She is survived by sister, Diana Edmonds and her nieces, Laura Panella (Richard), Karen Wallace (David) and Suzanne Kimball (Dan), Great Nieces and Nephews, Cedar Panella, Mathew Panella (Kaitlin), Elena Spellman (Matt), Kelsey Kimball, Michaela Kimball, Emma Wallace and Logan Kimball as well as Great, Great Nieces and Nephews, Tiffany, Dallas, Aiden, and Scarlett Spellman who brought her so much joy. She also leaves behind many cousins and lifelong friends.

She was a one-of-a-kind person who brought joy and laughter to all those who knew her. We feel so lucky to have had our Super Auntie in our lives and she would want to remind everyone to leave this world a kinder place and to eat M&M’s each day.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Leslie’s name to the Friends of the Nevada County Libraries 980 Helling Way, Nevada City, CA 95959. Please go to the website ncfol.org and select the donation tab to use the correct form to attach with your check or to use a credit card through the Paypal account on the website.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Lake Wildwood Community Center on Saturday, June 29th at 10:30am.

Please RSVP by email to suzannekimball05@gmail.com by June 21st, 2024