Leslie Marie Swager

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leslie Marie (Lefler) Swager, 76, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. She was a resident of Gerber, CA. She was surrounded by family and loved ones who traveled from all over the country to be with her. Her loss was unexpected and her family is profoundly saddened.

Leslie was born on March 30, 1949 to Mildred May (Milks) and Clyde J. Lefler in Santa Cruz, CA. She met the love of her life and beloved husband, Gary Swager, while living in Pleasant Hill, CA. Her passing comes shortly before their 58th wedding anniversary. She was the devoted mother of David, Daryll, Cheryl, and Christina. She was also the proud parent of the numerous children she fostered with Gary and was known for being a mother to anyone who needed one, whether for a little while or for the rest of their lives.

As a licensed clinical social worker, Leslie lived a life in service to others. She received her Master of Social Work from San Jose State University in 1990. She worked with individuals who were at their most vulnerable, including children and adolescents experiencing abuse and neglect, medically fragile and special needs infants and children, and—her specialization of over 20 years—individuals in hospice and end-of-life care. She bravely and compassionately helped countless individuals and their loved ones face the end of their journey with dignity and support.

Leslie was also a crafter, dog lover, avid traveler, reader, country music fan, and gamer. She was as likely to play World of Warcraft as she was to build a dollhouse or take a trip to Disneyland. She was an active member of the international miniature community and served many positions on the Board of Trustees, most recently as the First Vice President, for the National Organization for Miniature Enthusiasts. She decorated her home based on the month of the year and was passionate about holidays, particularly Christmas. She was always ready for adventure, especially with her husband or closest friends, and went on trips, vacations, and cruises as often as possible to ensure she was getting the most out of life. She adored her dog, Lucy, and her chickens, Millie, Thelma, and Louise, who surely feel the loss of her in their lives.

She was known for her intelligence, her confidence, her compassion, her sassy sense of humor, and her endless ability to love and forgive others. There was no distance she would not travel to be with her loved ones, whether in celebration or crisis. Her family and friends pray that they were able to help her achieve even a fraction of the comfort she offered others throughout her long and impactful life and career. We are confident that she was a significant and meaningful figure in the lives of many, even if we never met them.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Millie and Clyde; her brothers, Clyde “CJ” Lefler Jr. and Robert “Bob” Lefler; her aunt, Mary Jo Milks; and her precious daughter, Christina. She is joyful to reunite with them in Heaven.

She is survived by 3 of her children and their 3 spouses, whom she loved as her own children: David Swager & Marci (Daniels) Swager, Daryll Swager & Jennifer (Moore) Swager, Cheryl (Sandberg) Lewis & Jeff Lewis; her 5 grandchildren and their spouses: Geddy Swager & Lauren (Gordon) Swager, LeeAnn Swager & Joseph Statham, Krystina Lewis, Cody Swager & Krista Navarra Swager, and Jozzlynn (Lewis) Priest & Nick Priest; and her 5 great-grandchildren: Alexandria, Sophia, Westley, Greyson, and Owen. A special thank you to the Myers family for accepting her as part of their family.

As Leslie always prioritized the most vulnerable among us, be they children, older adults, or the medically fragile, the family requests you do the same. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Organization of Miniature Enthusiasts (https://miniatures.org/) in Leslie’s name. And please, be gentle with yourself.