Marcia J. Smith Leslie

Marcia Smith Leslie died peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 3, surrounded by family and close friends. She was born in Oshkosh on December 5, 1937, to Julia Anne Smith and Dr. Leonard Marshall Smith, MD. She was raised from age 10 by her mother Julia, and stepfather Arthur Leupold.

Marcia attended Rose C. Swart Training School, Oshkosh Public High School, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1959. At Madison, she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, and earned a Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees in Education.

Beginning a long life and love of travel, Marcia moved to the San Francisco area where she had a lifelong career as a grade school teacher. She also taught in Germany for the Armed Services.

In 1986, Marcia married Eugene Leslie and later returned to her hometown of Oshkosh. She became stepmother to Gene’s two sons, Charles & Paul. She also maintained a close relationship with her niece, Debora Smith Ingram & nephew, Steven Smith, children of her deceased brother Spencer. Throughout her life, Marcia guided Deb, nurtured her, and inspired her to travel.

Marcia was very active in the Oshkosh community, where she served on the Power Team of the Women’s Fund of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation for 15 years, serving on their Board of Directors for nine years. She had great interest in issues impacting women and families and started the Marcia Leslie Fund for their benefit. She was a member of Leisure Hour Art Club, the Wine Ladies, Oshkosh Yacht Club, Oshkosh YMCA, the Amicale French Club, and was an avid golfer at the Oshkosh Country Club.

Marcia was a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Oshkosh and a dedicated volunteer. She sat on the Vestry, was a delegate to several Diocese conventions, served on the Altar Guild, and often ran the after-worship coffee hours. One of her favorite church activities was Loaves and Fishes, where she cooked and served free meals to people in need. She was well-known as someone who lived her faith through acts of kindness, both within the church and beyond.

Marcia loved to travel and had tremendous interest and respect for people of other cultures and beliefs. She traveled the globe to many places, including Africa, India, China, Russia, Central Europe, the Middle East, Patagonia/Argentina, Macho Picchu, Peru, the Caribbean, and South America. She was an avid reader, enjoyed concerts and theater, loved to cook, and entertain. Most of all, she loved her family and friends, and was loved in return for her wit, her wisdom, her kind soul, and her generous spirit.

Marcia is survived by her niece, Debora Smith Ingram & husband Tom, their children Julianne & Connor, nephew Steven Smith, stepson Charles Leslie & partner Deb Hyde, & Charles’s son, Matthew, stepson Paul Leslie & partner Colette Treml, as well as Paul’s sons Griffin & Mike Leslie, and stepson Ben Schmidt.

She is further survived by the following friends, who were like family to her: Dave & Susie Elbing, Keith & Judy Bell Marks, David Vander Linden, Ross Goldberg, and Hank & Rowena Sredl.

Preceding Marcia in death were her husband Eugene Leslie, parents Julia Smith Leupold and Dr. Leonard Marshall Smith, stepfather Arthur Leupold, brothers Douglas Marshall Smith and Spencer Brand Smith, cousin Barbara Brand, and godmother Betty Sawtell.

Special thanks for the conscientious and loving care provided to Marcia in her final days in the hospital and at home go to Melissa McCreery Douaire, Roxie LeMieux, Dave and Susie Elbing, Charles Leslie and Deb Hyde, and Paul Leslie and Colette Treml.

Family and friends will celebrate Marcia’s well-lived life on Wednesday, August 11, at Trinity Episcopal Church - 311 Division Street, Oshkosh. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the service at 11:00 a.m. A reception immediately following the service will be at The Paine Art Center Carriage House, corner of Elmwood & Congress.

Memorials in Marcia’s memory may be directed to the Marcia Leslie Fund at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and Trinity Episcopal Church.