Obituary for Leslie Ann (Harvey) Kaigle
Leslie Ann (Harvey) Kaigle was born on October 24, 1957 in Concord, Massachusetts and grew up in Rutland and Burlington, Vermont. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1975 and went on to attend cosmetology school in Albany, New York. Leslie was an athletic beauty, and modeled for Burlington shop Mayfair in print and television commercials. Leslie also loved fast cars, and her future husband, David Allen Kaigle drove (and worked on) them. Leslie and David met through mutual friends, having many great adventures together before marrying on October 4, 1980 in Burlington, Vermont. Leslie and David enjoyed 36 wonderful years together before David passed away in 2016.
Leslie and David resided in the Old North End in Burlington, Vermont, where they raised their three children, Anthony Kaigle, Suzanne (Kaigle) Carter, and Matthew Kaigle. Leslie made innumerable wonderful meals for her family, and was always concerned for her family’s well-being. A strong woman, Leslie was fiercely protective and supportive of her family. Leslie had a generous, loving, and caring spirit. She also taught her children many important life lessons epitomized by her oft-used phrase, “If you’re going to be dumb, you’ve got to be tough” and she encouraged them to adapt to challenges that might come up in their lives, saying “It is what it is.”
Leslie loved to have fun with her family and friends, often remarking “My fun meter is pegged.” Leslie was passionate not only about her family and friends, but also about her many hobbies. From enthusiastically rooting on her children at their sporting events, to her special talents for crochet, needlepoint, and painting, Leslie excelled at anything she set out to learn. Leslie also enjoyed animals, from fostering dogs including two greyhounds that were supposed to stay for a “short time” and ended up becoming a part of Leslie’s brood, to Captain the parakeet, and Bubbles the “guard cockatiel.” Leslie also had an aptitude for skeet shooting (where she sometimes out-shot her husband, David, much to his chagrin), gardening (with an extensive knowledge of plants, from her bonsais and terrariums to the paulowina tree), refinishing wood furniture, and bee-keeping, producing honey to share with family and friends. She could also back a 26-foot camping trailer down a narrow drive with startling skill.
Leslie loved to travel and visited China twice while on the Burlington School Board, earning an education administrator certification. She also ventured to Hawaii, and spent summers camping with her children all over the eastern seaboard, teaching her children how to dig for clams on camping trips in Rhode Island. Leslie loved watching her kids play at the pool and could whistle so loud (without a whistle!) that the kids always knew when it was time to return to camp. Leslie loved her family passionately and derived the greatest enjoyment from celebrating and hosting holidays at her home, not only for Easter, Thanksgiving (when she would cook three or four turkeys), and Christmas (hosting the feast of the seven fishes), but also hosting large family parties in the summer, with extended family coming from far and wide.
Most of all, Leslie had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh with her family, friends, and acquaintances. Leslie could always talk with anyone she met, and always said she was happiest when she had everyone together; her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Leslie had a warm smile that made you feel welcome. Leslie was always doing for others and making sure her family was taken care of; her door was always open for her loved ones.
Leslie’s generous spirit was apparent in her professional life as well. Leslie enjoyed her cosmetology career, helping her clients feel and look their best. Leslie was also proud to have attended the Snelling Center for Government in addition to serving on the Burlington School Board. Leslie also worked for the Special Olympics Vermont, the Howard Center, and Mount Abraham Union High School, in addition to volunteering.
In her final years, after the passing of her husband, David, Leslie was also greatly comforted to have found a partner in Rich Decker. Leslie and Rich shared a sense of humor, and enjoyed many trips and meals together in and around Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York, all of which eased the difficulty of her fight against cancer and put a smile on her face.
Leslie was a strong woman, and she fought her hardest until the end, in spite of her difficult battle against cancer. Leslie felt fortunate to spend her final days surrounded by her loving family, who were all able to be by her side when she passed away peacefully on May 30, 2021. While Leslie sometimes felt “fair to partly cloudy,” she wanted her loved ones to know that she led a blessed life and she made sure to tell her children she loved them all so very much.
Leslie’s family is very grateful for the care provided by the many hard-working nurses and doctors at UVM Medical Center. Thank you for taking care of our Mom.
Leslie was predeceased by her loving husband, David, and her parents. Leslie is survived by her children Anthony “Tony” Kaigle (Hethba), Suzanne Carter, and Matthew Kaigle, and her grandchildren, Anna Kaigle and Jackson Carter.
Leslie is also survived by her siblings: John E. Harvey (Lisa), Martha Raymond, Kenneth Harvey (Sarah), Bob Harvey (Melanie), Lisa Harvey, and Denise Harvey; her nieces and nephews, Patrick Raymond, Marissa Raymond (Ryan), Alexander Raymond (Amanda), Christopher Harvey (Susan), Danielle Harvey, Carla Baker (Jamie); her partner Rich Decker; and her many great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends who were like family.
A celebration of Leslie’s life will be scheduled at a later date.
Leslie and David resided in the Old North End in Burlington, Vermont, where they raised their three children, Anthony Kaigle, Suzanne (Kaigle) Carter, and Matthew Kaigle. Leslie made innumerable wonderful meals for her family, and was always concerned for her family’s well-being. A strong woman, Leslie was fiercely protective and supportive of her family. Leslie had a generous, loving, and caring spirit. She also taught her children many important life lessons epitomized by her oft-used phrase, “If you’re going to be dumb, you’ve got to be tough” and she encouraged them to adapt to challenges that might come up in their lives, saying “It is what it is.”
Leslie loved to have fun with her family and friends, often remarking “My fun meter is pegged.” Leslie was passionate not only about her family and friends, but also about her many hobbies. From enthusiastically rooting on her children at their sporting events, to her special talents for crochet, needlepoint, and painting, Leslie excelled at anything she set out to learn. Leslie also enjoyed animals, from fostering dogs including two greyhounds that were supposed to stay for a “short time” and ended up becoming a part of Leslie’s brood, to Captain the parakeet, and Bubbles the “guard cockatiel.” Leslie also had an aptitude for skeet shooting (where she sometimes out-shot her husband, David, much to his chagrin), gardening (with an extensive knowledge of plants, from her bonsais and terrariums to the paulowina tree), refinishing wood furniture, and bee-keeping, producing honey to share with family and friends. She could also back a 26-foot camping trailer down a narrow drive with startling skill.
Leslie loved to travel and visited China twice while on the Burlington School Board, earning an education administrator certification. She also ventured to Hawaii, and spent summers camping with her children all over the eastern seaboard, teaching her children how to dig for clams on camping trips in Rhode Island. Leslie loved watching her kids play at the pool and could whistle so loud (without a whistle!) that the kids always knew when it was time to return to camp. Leslie loved her family passionately and derived the greatest enjoyment from celebrating and hosting holidays at her home, not only for Easter, Thanksgiving (when she would cook three or four turkeys), and Christmas (hosting the feast of the seven fishes), but also hosting large family parties in the summer, with extended family coming from far and wide.
Most of all, Leslie had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh with her family, friends, and acquaintances. Leslie could always talk with anyone she met, and always said she was happiest when she had everyone together; her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Leslie had a warm smile that made you feel welcome. Leslie was always doing for others and making sure her family was taken care of; her door was always open for her loved ones.
Leslie’s generous spirit was apparent in her professional life as well. Leslie enjoyed her cosmetology career, helping her clients feel and look their best. Leslie was also proud to have attended the Snelling Center for Government in addition to serving on the Burlington School Board. Leslie also worked for the Special Olympics Vermont, the Howard Center, and Mount Abraham Union High School, in addition to volunteering.
In her final years, after the passing of her husband, David, Leslie was also greatly comforted to have found a partner in Rich Decker. Leslie and Rich shared a sense of humor, and enjoyed many trips and meals together in and around Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York, all of which eased the difficulty of her fight against cancer and put a smile on her face.
Leslie was a strong woman, and she fought her hardest until the end, in spite of her difficult battle against cancer. Leslie felt fortunate to spend her final days surrounded by her loving family, who were all able to be by her side when she passed away peacefully on May 30, 2021. While Leslie sometimes felt “fair to partly cloudy,” she wanted her loved ones to know that she led a blessed life and she made sure to tell her children she loved them all so very much.
Leslie’s family is very grateful for the care provided by the many hard-working nurses and doctors at UVM Medical Center. Thank you for taking care of our Mom.
Leslie was predeceased by her loving husband, David, and her parents. Leslie is survived by her children Anthony “Tony” Kaigle (Hethba), Suzanne Carter, and Matthew Kaigle, and her grandchildren, Anna Kaigle and Jackson Carter.
Leslie is also survived by her siblings: John E. Harvey (Lisa), Martha Raymond, Kenneth Harvey (Sarah), Bob Harvey (Melanie), Lisa Harvey, and Denise Harvey; her nieces and nephews, Patrick Raymond, Marissa Raymond (Ryan), Alexander Raymond (Amanda), Christopher Harvey (Susan), Danielle Harvey, Carla Baker (Jamie); her partner Rich Decker; and her many great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends who were like family.
A celebration of Leslie’s life will be scheduled at a later date.