Judith Leslie

After a life well lived, Judith Joan Leslie, age 86, from Wichita, Kansas, died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on March 28, 2026.

Born on Friday, October 13th, 1939 to Edgar and Leona Millis in Fredonia, Kansas. She was the oldest of four children. Two brothers Phillip Millis (Bud), and Martin Daniel Millis (Danny) and sister Dema Puckett.

When her mother went to work at Boeing on the assembly lines Judy was responsible for the care of her younger siblings. She found that to be her greatest calling and knew then that her dream was to be a great mother, which she fully accomplished.

She married Clairene V. Leslie on May 16th, 1959 and gave birth to three children; Rick, Sherry, and Kelly. Clairene (Les) was in the US Air Force and they moved from Wichita to California, then Guam, then to Cheyenne Wyoming. In 1967 they returned to Wichita Kansas permanently.

Children were especially drawn to Judy. They all loved her, and she loved them unconditionally. She ran a day care from their home for several years. After that she worked at the Sedgwick County Law Library with her daughter, Kelly.

She couldn’t wait to become a grandma, and when her son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Linda Leslie, gave her the first two (Chris and Jeremiah) of her four grandchildren she was overjoyed! Soon after came Clint and Madison from daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Terry Shriner. She spent the next five years caring for them while Kelly worked. She loved being a grandma and she was the very best at it.

After working at Walmart for over seven years, she finally retired in 2005. Her retirement years found her again doing the thing she loved most, taking care of babies. This time it was her great niece and nephew Ella Puckett and Evan Puckett. A renewed purpose in life!

The icing on the cake came in August of 2024 when her granddaughter and grandson-in-law Madison and Johnny Pfluger gave birth to her first great grandchild August David. The last year and a half of her life was filled with watching him grow.

Judy had an adventurous spirit and was always eager to experience something new. She was very involved at the Park City Senior Center and learned how to play bridge for the first time at age 80! She played every week and was beloved by everyone who came in the door. Judy was so creative. She loved crafts, music, dancing, sports, fishing, camping, shopping for clothes, doing anything outside, and most especially flowers and gardening. She was the light that brightened the room and filled it with warmth and love. She will be forever in our hearts.

Preceded in death by her mother, father, and brothers. Survived by her husband, sister, children, grandchildren, great grandchild, many nieces and nephews.

A small private ceremony is planned.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.