Ode to an Older Time: Lilian Leslie

Lillian Marie Leslie said she was born at Tonasket Hospital in 1940. She spent her earlier years in Lynn, Wash., where her father owned an orchard; the family then moved to a ranch in Molson, Wash., where she said she fondly remembers climbing trees, the ranch cats that liked to catch the mice, and her mother’s big garden that she helped with every year. When she was in her younger years, Leslie said she learned how to make clothes. Eventually, she said she started making most of her clothes, as well as new clothes for her younger brothers and sister. She shared that she still modifies clothes to this day. Lillian went to high school for two years, noting that in her sophomore year, she decided she did not care for school and wanted to work. Even though school wasn't for her, Leslie said her favorite subject was history, specifically the 13^th and 14^th centuries. Leslie recounted how she worked as a waitress, a bartender, and at a clothing store in Republic. She also worked for Kelly's Bakery, where she said she learned all about how to run a bakery. Leslie also cleaned houses for money, and helped people pack for moving. She said she joined the Eagles in Republic, and was president for three terms. She had one girl and two boys, Debi Hamilton, David Leslie, and Wayne Leslie. Her favorite place in Washington is Birdsview, but she loves the entire state and has lived in it most of her life. She said one of the biggest tasks she has overcome is taking on the responsibility of watching her granddaughter every summer, saying “it was a lot of hard work but I loved it.” When she was living with her son and daughter-in-law, they were trying to find a facility where she could stay. She said there were no openings at surrounding assisted care facilities, and she searched for one with lots of activities to keep her busy; that’s when she learned that Colville had a facility with a few spots open. She said she came to Colville Health & Rehabilitation of Cascadia and has since joined every activity she could, including painting, ceramics, different types of crafting, and gardening. Leslie said she also participated in the fair Cascadia runs, after the Northeast Washington Fair, and she won over 20 different ribbons. Leslie said she is the president of the residents council at Colville Health & Rehabilitation of Cascadia, a group that meets once a month to listen to resident grievances. She said her favorite thing to do nowadays is craft and she enjoys her classes with her teacher, Jackie. She also takes care of a lot of the indoor plants at the facility such as watering and trimming when necessary. When asked if she could tell one thing to the younger generation what it would be, Leslie said, “Follow your dreams. That's what I told my kids.”