Remembered With Love
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. Leslie Margaret Fielding (née: Johnston) passed away in the early morning of Monday, January 15th, 2024, with her loving husband by her side, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.
Born on September 24th, 1958, in Ottawa, Ontario, Leslie was the eldest among her siblings, Brenda and Elaine. Her kindness and patience were inherited from her mother, Nancy, and her adventurous spirit was passed down by her father, Alfred. Some of Leslie’s fondest memories with her family were created at Gracefield camp, a cherished spot where they spent many summers together and continued to do so through the years.
Leslie attended Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, earning both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. After graduation, following her father's suggestion, Leslie spent eight transformative months studying, working, and travelling in France. In August 1983, she ventured to Saskatchewan, pioneering the French Immersion program for the public education systems in both Moose Jaw and Yorkton. Over her 30-year teaching career, Leslie touched many lives, retiring in 2016.
In Moose Jaw, Leslie met her husband, Bob, in a set up orchestrated by a friend. They married in 1989 and embarked on a life filled with adventures, from Vancouver Island for their honeymoon, to explorations across Europe and the prairies. Their family grew with the arrival of Carman and Chelsea, and Leslie embraced her role as a loving and supportive mother, always putting her children first.
Leslie has always had a wandering spirit. She liked to frequent many small prairie towns and lakes, often taking a dip and was likely the first one in the lake in the spring and the last one out in the fall. Cold water never scared her off from a good swim. If she wasn’t swimming at the lake, she would be doing laps at the Kinsmen or the Moose Jaw Natatorium. In the summer of 2023, she was the last person in the pool at the Nat, on the last day it was open for the season. With its possible closure next season, this seems fitting. Though, with her passion for architectural history, she would be saddened if the pool was to close permanently.
Leslie found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She relished taking leisurely drives, discovering the perfect landscapes, and chasing sunsets. Her enthusiasm was contagious, capturing moments with excitement and eagerly snapping pictures whenever she encountered churches and wildlife on her journeys.
Leslie held a deep appreciation for animals. In 1993, she was a part of the Moose Jaw Zoological Society and often frequented the Moose Jaw Animal Park with her children, creating cherished memories during numerous summer outings. Despite efforts to save the park, it unfortunately closed in 1995. More recently, Leslie was a member of the Moose Jaw Nature Society. Among her favourite spots was Wakamow Valley, where she delighted in hand-feeding chickadees and nuthatches, considering these moments to be truly special.
A dedicated and active participant in her community, Leslie contributed her time to the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council, Multicultural Festival "Motif," and her daughters' Ukrainian dancing group. She was an active member of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church and was involved in community and church choirs.
Devoted to her faith, Leslie attended St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder and volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher for the many years she lived in Moose Jaw. She would also take the drive out to their sister church in Briercrest (until its recent closure). In addition, Leslie participated in Bible studies with her friends.
Leslie enjoyed many trips over the years with family, including trips to Ottawa, Vancouver, Saskatoon, the Maritimes, bi-annual trips to Fairmont, BC, many places in the Rockies, a trip to Venezuela, and three trips to Disney World. She more recently enjoyed a trip with Elaine to Scotland and a trip with Bob and his parents to Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal and Hawaii. One of her highlights was snorkelling over the reef in Hawaii and over manta rays as they fed at night.
Leslie had a wide variety of interests. She enjoyed music, theatre and watching sports. She and Bob would often frequent shows, concerts and Warrior games. They kept up with the Riders and other sports on casual evenings at home. Leslie was also an avid writer and journaler, finding joy in writing and taking time to appreciate each moment. She kept many notebooks where she wrote her “diamonds” (special moments) of each day.
Leslie lived with passion, mindfulness, patience, kindness and gratitude for all she had. It would be remiss not to follow in her footsteps, living life to the fullest each and every day.
She will be dearly missed.
She was predeceased by her parents, Alfred George Johnston and Alexandra "Nancy" Agnes Margaret Johnston (née: Hedderwick). Leslie is survived by her husband, Robert Fielding; daughters, Carman Tang and Chelsea Fielding; sisters, Brenda Sowden and Elaine Johnston; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, sister and brothers-in-law, parents-in-law, and cousins.
A Celebration of Leslie’s Life will be held on Saturday, March 9th, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 80 High St E, officiated by Rev. Bev Longmire and Pastor Barry Holtslander, followed by a reception and visitation. Those not able to attend may view the service virtually by going to https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ao5ZzpL751M. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leslie’s name may be made to Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw, Box 334, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4N9 Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw or Moose Jaw Health Foundation, 55 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 0C2 The Moose Jaw Health Foundation.
Leslie and family would like to thank all the medical staff and teams who cared for her along her three-year journey with cancer.
Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
