Leslie Roucek a resident of Virginia Beach, VA passed away Wednesday on December 20th, 2023. She was born May 22, 1947 in Pittsburgh, PA to Eugene and Lillian Roucek. Her ashes will be released in a private family ceremony later this year at “camp” where her father’s ashes were also spread. Leslie is survived by her two loving children, Kimberly Stairs (Matthew) of Virginia Beach, VA and Tom Roucek II (Lisa) of Suffolk VA, her five grandchildren, Autumn, McKenzie, Taylor, Kiley and Riley, her sister, Janis Toner (William) and her brother, Robert E. Heim, both of Fort Myers, FL; as well as many extended family members and friends.

Eulogy:

To know Leslie was to know a beautiful, joyful spirit and a woman who was a fighter, a lover of life, and a devout mother, sister, grandmother and friend. Life did not give her many breaks, but she never let that stop her from rejoicing and being in the company of family and friends every chance she had. She loved playing cards, going to the beach, reading books, and donating to various animal charities including her favorite animals, Murphy and Lily. To be her friend meant you were family, as is the Italian way, and she took no love for granted. Every life and relationship was precious to her. She was always there to celebrate successes and wipe away tears if life dealt anyone else a bad hand. She was generous beyond words with her love and her heart, even if she was suffering. When her body was failing, she fought like a warrior to get back to living every single time. Miraculously, with God’s grace and the help of family and close friends she was able to bring herself back to being an independent woman after suffering a severe stroke and battling cancer. Her career as a much-loved elementary school teacher gave her the ability, the tenacity, and the patience with herself to rebuild her independence as best she could. Her huge heart drew a community around her that wanted to support her and love her, no matter how many handbags and necklaces she bought at craft fairs, or how many card games she won. In writing about a person like Leslie it is impossible to not dwell on the fun, the laughing, the ability to laugh at herself, and help you through your difficult moments. She had a unique way of communicating that just filled the air with fun, with joy, and always with love. She clung to each special relationship in her life, and made a home for each person in her heart, she also made a special, safe place for each of us to go when life was great and when life was not. She was the sweetest person, who would do anything she could for even a stranger and she held onto her family and never let go. As a family, we will never forget the best hugs nor the lessons she taught us by just always being happy to be with those she loved. We will carry her in our hearts and minds forever.