Curtiss Lesley Emery

The eldest daughter of Lois D. Harrod, an art teacher and Harold L. Shore, a butcher, Lesley spent her early years in OK. She and her brother John moved with their mother to the coastal town of Eureka, CA during WWII. Whether on a boat, the beach or one of the many rivers and streams nearby, family photos attest to the avid fishermen the Shore family became while living in Humboldt County. Lesley’s love of horses and dogs evolved there; she spent many hours at her uncle’s property on the back of a horse with her cousin Panny or at her Auntie Zee’s dog kennels.

An attractive girl by age 15, Lesley was recruited as a model for newspaper ads by the owner of a department store where she was working. Thus began a period of years marked by beauty contests, fashion design, pageants and modeling that continued through her mid 20s.

Not many people can say they truly met the love of their life at first sight, but from the moment Wayne walked into the room she knew he was the one. “That’s the boy I’m going to marry” she said to her best friend the very first time she laid eyes on her future husband on the first day of 7th Grade. He was not aware of these grand plans upon their initial introduction, but eventually realized he felt the same way and their love story became an example to friends and family of true love. They were married in 1955, during her Freshman year at Humboldt State College. They raised 3 beautiful children: Kim, Alix and Michael.

By the time they moved to San Francisco in the early ‘60s, Lesley was experienced in medical transcription and worked in S.F. labs and doctor’s offices for the next 20+ years. An early example of the post 1950s modern woman, she raised three children while holding down a full time job, became not only a gourmet cook but developed a passion for seasonal and healthy foods through her backyard vegetable garden. She loved entertaining, travel and the outdoors, organizing family vacations, campouts and return visits to both sides of the family in Eureka and Idaho. Her travel routes were frequently planned by specific food places to try or revisiting old favorites.

In her 40s, Lesley reconnected with the Church and her new career began through Bible Study, advancing to teaching, writing, travel and presenting to large audiences. In 1989 she and Wayne moved to Tanzania, East Africa to lead an arts and crafts school in the Masai tribal community. Five years in Africa were followed by two years in Mexico City and a Campus Ministry with post grad international students at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Work with international students continued when Lesley and Wayne began a retreat program on their property in the mountains of Pine, AZ.

She wore many hats throughout her life; a beauty queen, a model, a mother, a grandmother, great grandmother, a godmother, sister in Christ and Family Matriarch. Her career in Christ brought her the most joy and fulfillment and her devoted service on behalf of God is her legacy. She is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband of 67 years, Wayne. Also celebrating her arrival are her parents, her beloved daughter-in-law Angelique and her son-in-law Tim. She leaves behind her three children; Kim, Alix, Michael, her son-in-law Turk, her grandchildren; Kati, Keena, Ryan, Samantha, and Rachel, three great grandchildren; Alexandria, Thomas & Kyra as well as countless friends and extended family.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests you consider a donation in Wayne’s and her memory to Sunshine Acres Childrens Home in Mesa, Arizona. As a 501c Christian Charity that makes a difference in the lives of so many children; this is a fitting testament to the life she lived.