Leslie Alison Reyer, obituary
Leslie Alison Reyer passed July 16, 2025 after a valiant battle with metastatic breast cancer, hastened by liver and bone fibrosis. Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Friend, Called, Chosen, First Fruit, Saint.
Leslie was born December 8, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents James and Joan (Wiseman) Donohue and moved to Lake George, New York when she was three years old. She was a single child for over nine years until her brother Sean, who she adored, was born in 1967.
Leslie always spoke fondly of her upbringing and years spent in Lake George. She developed a love for the outdoors enjoying cycling, running, skiing, climbing mountains, and spending time observing nature and encountering various animals. After graduating from Lake George High School and Adirondack Community College Leslie held several sales positions with territories primarily throughout the Northeast.
She met her husband, Matthew, in 1991 when visiting his office in Saratoga Springs, New York while she was working for Eastman Kodak. From that initial encounter, the two became inseparable, and later married at the Chateau Lake Louis, Canada in 1993, with their parents in attendance. In September 1994 Leslie gave birth to her first son, Collin, and decided to forego her sales career and focus primarily on motherhood and managing the household. In 2003, while living in Georgia a second time, Leslie delivered another beautiful son, Ian, six months prior to relocating to Maine in January 2004.
Leslie had unconditional love for her two sons, mostly homeschooling when not attending private schools, and always guiding and supporting them throughout their childhood, adolescent years, and entry into early adulthood. A loving wife and partner, she was always supportive of many spousal career relocations across the country. One move, California to Georgia, occurred while she was beginning her 9th month of pregnancy. Remarkably she secured doctors for herself and baby, delivered Collin, and returned to temporary housing without ever complaining. She believed every relocation provided the family an opportunity to learn and share a deeper knowledge, understanding, and perspective about the country, its beauty, history, and people.
An avid hiker, she was well known for ascending the local Camden Snowbowl most days for twenty years from the parking lot to top of the triple chair, either in trail shoes, snowshoes, or cleats depending upon the season. She particularly enjoyed the fall and winter hikes while her son Ian was on the hill mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, or working in the terrain park.
Leslie maintained a strong bond with her son Collin and their two compatible personalities enhanced by daily laughter brought tremendous joy to the family and everyone around them.
Leslie loved God and her relationship with the Father and Jesus Christ above all else. As a begotten child of God, she diligently prayed and studied God's word every day to better understand the plan for mankind and to continue developing the heart and mind of Jesus within herself. Leslie was confident and comforted knowing life's purpose, its temporary nature, and that through God's grace and mercy, her spirit would return to Him and remain at peace until she is resurrected and receives everlasting life as an immortal spirit being, never again to experience weakness, disease, suffering, or death. She finished the race and no doubt will hear the words "Well done thou good and faithful servant".
Leslie's legacy of loving God in faith, belief, and obedience and her strength, dignity, courage, perseverance, tenacity, honesty, truthfulness, generosity, kindness, thankfulness, long-suffering, humor, teaching, beauty, and servanthood will forever be remembered by her family, brethren, and all those she encountered throughout her lifetime.
The family extends its love and appreciation to all those at Maine Health Pen Bay who cared for Leslie including the entire Special Care Unit ( you know who you are), Oncology team, ER, Medical Care Unit, Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, the caring Phlebotomist’s, Lab, Housekeeping, Cafeteria, Front Desk team, Security, and countless Surgeons, Doctors, Nurses, staff and other services.
During her final remaining days, the Sussman House Hospice staff provided an unsurpassed level of dignified care and comfort until Leslie breathed her last breath.
Leslie is survived by her husband, two sons, mother, and brother, and predeceased by her father whom she dearly loved.
The family intends to have a private ceremony and asks that you share any fond memories of Leslie with others in lieu of flowers or gifts.
The family kindly asks that any donation be made to the Hospice Sussman House in Rockport, Maine in remembrance of Leslie.
Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at directcremationofmaine.com.