Obituary for Lesley Cole Kadlec
Lesley Cole Kadlec, 83
Lesley Cole Kadlec, 83 of Acton, MA, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2020. Her courage in her final days was a source of strength and comfort to those who loved her.
Lesley is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Charles Kadlec. She is also survived, loved, and greatly missed by her children: Paul Kadlec and his wife Mei Chei; Anne Kadlec; Julia Kadlec-Cafano and her husband Peter Cafano; and Michael Kadlec and his wife Anne. Lesley was also the loving and adoring grandmother to Sean, Leia, Vickie, William, Andrew, Thomas, and Jason. Lesley is also survived by her sisters Joanna Stevenson, Robin Corey, and Holly Ericson and her brothers-in-law Bernie Stevenson, Myrick Cross, James McPhail, Richard Corey, and Steven Ericson. Lesley was predeceased by her parents Paula and Chesley Cole, and her sisters Amy Cross and Sharon McPhail.
Lesley was born in Bangor, Maine and always considered herself a “Mainah.” Her Maine accent returned every time she crossed the Penobscot Bridge. She attended both Bangor High and Lee Academy before heading to Boston, Massachusetts to study art and dress design at Endicott College. After graduation she remained in Boston working for The House of Bianchi and Weather Services, changing the colors of the weather light on the Prudential Tower. Her final and favorite job soon followed when she became a wife and mother.
An Acton resident for more than 50 years, Lesley began volunteering in the schools in the 1970s as classroom helper. She was altruistic by nature and through the years shared her talents in endless ways. Lesley taught calligraphy and created costumes for school plays. She sewed on scout badges and cared for senior citizens. Lesley became an election worker, always arriving with a batch of warm cherry-chocolate chip "election cookies." Over the years her baked goodies enticed many children to her kitchen table, all of whom she welcomed and mothered.
Lesley was an artist, always drawing, painting, sewing, singing, and making jewelry. She loved drawing faces or illustrating poems and quotes. Many of her friends looked forward to her yearly hand painted Christmas cards.
As a child, she taught herself to play piano by ear and continued this life-long passion without any formal training. She couldn't resist a sing-a-long and set everything to music. Lesley created lullabies for her children and clever little verses to get them through homework assignments. Nothing made her happier than playing the piano with a grandchild snuggled under each arm.
Life’s simple pleasures gave Lesley a lifetime of joy. She pulled the car over to point out a beautiful red cardinal or a rainbow. A bowl of clam chowdah and vanilla ice cream were her favorite meals. She enjoyed strolling along the rocky shores of Bar Harbor reminiscing and collecting stones. Her greatest joy was hearing “the pitter patter of little feet” running around her house, especially with toes from her grandchildren.
Lesley was a rare gentle soul who looked for the good in the world.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, October 30th at Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, Massachusetts. Social distancing will be observed and masks are required on funeral home grounds. Services and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations in Lesley Kadlec’s memory be made to: the Acton Nursing Services: 30 Sudbury Road, Acton, MA 01720 (www.actonnursingservices.com) or the Lee Academy: 26 Winn Road, Lee ME 04455 (Giving - Lee Academy Alumni Association).
If you would like to learn more about what to expect at visiting hours during the pandemic, please return to our main web page and select the "COVID" tab from the menu bar. Thank you.
Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com
Lesley Cole Kadlec, 83 of Acton, MA, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2020. Her courage in her final days was a source of strength and comfort to those who loved her.
Lesley is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Charles Kadlec. She is also survived, loved, and greatly missed by her children: Paul Kadlec and his wife Mei Chei; Anne Kadlec; Julia Kadlec-Cafano and her husband Peter Cafano; and Michael Kadlec and his wife Anne. Lesley was also the loving and adoring grandmother to Sean, Leia, Vickie, William, Andrew, Thomas, and Jason. Lesley is also survived by her sisters Joanna Stevenson, Robin Corey, and Holly Ericson and her brothers-in-law Bernie Stevenson, Myrick Cross, James McPhail, Richard Corey, and Steven Ericson. Lesley was predeceased by her parents Paula and Chesley Cole, and her sisters Amy Cross and Sharon McPhail.
Lesley was born in Bangor, Maine and always considered herself a “Mainah.” Her Maine accent returned every time she crossed the Penobscot Bridge. She attended both Bangor High and Lee Academy before heading to Boston, Massachusetts to study art and dress design at Endicott College. After graduation she remained in Boston working for The House of Bianchi and Weather Services, changing the colors of the weather light on the Prudential Tower. Her final and favorite job soon followed when she became a wife and mother.
An Acton resident for more than 50 years, Lesley began volunteering in the schools in the 1970s as classroom helper. She was altruistic by nature and through the years shared her talents in endless ways. Lesley taught calligraphy and created costumes for school plays. She sewed on scout badges and cared for senior citizens. Lesley became an election worker, always arriving with a batch of warm cherry-chocolate chip "election cookies." Over the years her baked goodies enticed many children to her kitchen table, all of whom she welcomed and mothered.
Lesley was an artist, always drawing, painting, sewing, singing, and making jewelry. She loved drawing faces or illustrating poems and quotes. Many of her friends looked forward to her yearly hand painted Christmas cards.
As a child, she taught herself to play piano by ear and continued this life-long passion without any formal training. She couldn't resist a sing-a-long and set everything to music. Lesley created lullabies for her children and clever little verses to get them through homework assignments. Nothing made her happier than playing the piano with a grandchild snuggled under each arm.
Life’s simple pleasures gave Lesley a lifetime of joy. She pulled the car over to point out a beautiful red cardinal or a rainbow. A bowl of clam chowdah and vanilla ice cream were her favorite meals. She enjoyed strolling along the rocky shores of Bar Harbor reminiscing and collecting stones. Her greatest joy was hearing “the pitter patter of little feet” running around her house, especially with toes from her grandchildren.
Lesley was a rare gentle soul who looked for the good in the world.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, October 30th at Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, Massachusetts. Social distancing will be observed and masks are required on funeral home grounds. Services and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations in Lesley Kadlec’s memory be made to: the Acton Nursing Services: 30 Sudbury Road, Acton, MA 01720 (www.actonnursingservices.com) or the Lee Academy: 26 Winn Road, Lee ME 04455 (Giving - Lee Academy Alumni Association).
If you would like to learn more about what to expect at visiting hours during the pandemic, please return to our main web page and select the "COVID" tab from the menu bar. Thank you.
Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com