Obituary for Leslie Creeden
A grieving family bring their broken hearts back to the solace of everyday life and their love for each other, as they announce the death of their daughter, sister, aunt, niece and cousin. Leslie Ann Creeden of Lindsay, Ontario, died at Hospice Peterborough, on February 9, 2024, in her fifty-fifth year, after a valiant crusade against cancer.
Leslie is survived by her loving parents, Robin and Diane (Tait) Creeden of Peterborough, proud siblings, sister, Jennifer Creeden (Herbert Roseneck), of Renfrew, and brother, Paul Creeden (Jo-Anne Guindon), of Oshawa. She will be greatly missed by her niece, Abigail Creeden, of Whitby and her nephew, Jacob Creeden, of Hamilton, both of whom she thought the world. She was predeceased by her devoted grandparents Nora and Robert Creeden of Paris and Josephine and Frank Tait of Petrolia. She was saddened by the early passing of her aunt, Elizabeth (Tait) Thompson, and her uncles, Robert Tait, Barry Edgar, and Delmar Thompson. Her cousin, Laura Froud, will meet with her in heaven. Leslie loved her family. Throughout SW Ontario, a contingent of aunts, uncles and cousins shared family celebrations and gatherings, welcomed her visits and buoyed her onward in her fight against cancer. Leslie once wrote, “Family are like branches on a tree; we all grow in different directions; yet, our roots remain as one.”
Born in Peterborough on December 15, 1969, Leslie moved to Cedarhill Farm in Otonabee in 1975, where she and her family enjoyed the adventures of farm life for forty years. In 1988, she graduated from St. Peter’s High School, where she had taken part in various academic, athletic and leadership roles. As well she participated in the Trent Swim Club and was given the opportunity to attend the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre as a student. Leslie’s commitment to the importance of youth development took her back to OELC, in later years, as a Teacher-Facilitator, Program Coordinator and Course Director. She ensured that the opportunity that she was given as a student to attend OELC continued to be provided to future students by encouraging teachers to nominate and youth to enrol at OELC.
Her aspiration to be a teacher and coach took her to McMaster University where, in 1992, she earned her Honours Degree in Physical Education, and next to the University of Ottawa for her Bachelor of Education. She began teaching at I. E. Weldon SS in Lindsay in the fall of 1993. Soon her desire to travel took her to Australia and New Zealand and into a two-year exchange teaching program in Colombia, South America. Leslie embraced new experiences from every encounter on her journeys. She shared these with her students when she returned full steam to teaching and coaching at Weldon, encouraging young people to realize their potential and to be the best they could be. This expertise and enthusiasm led to multiple COSSA championships and trips to OFSAA with senior girls’ and boys’ basketball teams. Many student athletes from over the years have continued to be in touch and to offer their gratitude and support, much to Leslie’s joy. Leslie also gave freely of her time and energy to the organizational and executive work of Kawartha District, COSSA and OFSAA. Her work with Wildcat Community Basketball gave young people another opportunity to participate, to develop their skills and to achieve success.
Leslie had always admired Terry Fox and had participated in the involvement of youth in his Marathon of Hope. With her own cancer diagnosis in 2019, she felt especially inspired by his efforts. She, with family, visited his memorial at Thunder Bay, where his run had ended. His words, “Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me,” rang loud and clear with Leslie. She worked with the Terry Fox Foundation writing lesson plans for the school Terry Fox Run. Thanks to all who contributed to “Team Keep Going” led by Leslie in the Community Run.
Thank you to all health care workers who supported Leslie in her journey including those at the Oshawa, Lindsay and Peterborough hospitals, the Cancer Care Clinic and the Lindsay Home and Community Care Clinic. A special acknowledgment to the staff at the Peterborough Hospital Emergency Dept., the Intensive Care Unit and the Palliative Ward for their care of Leslie. Our tremendous gratitude to Hospice Peterborough for its welcoming, safe space for Leslie and our family. We cherish all the people at Hospice who helped make Leslie’s final steps in her journey so peaceful.
Leslie’s faith sustained her and to those spiritual leaders who continued to guide her we are forever grateful.
To all of Leslie’s cherished friends, colleagues and associates and especially to all the young people who shared Leslie’s appreciation for working hard and achieving their goals, know that she appreciated the support of all of you.
Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are entrusted to Mackey Funeral Home, 33 Peel St., Lindsay. Leslie’s Memorial Mass will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 31 Russell St. East, Lindsay on Saturday, February 17th, 2024 at 10:30am. Leslie’s Celebration of Life will follow at Mackey’s Celebrations, 35 Lindsay St. North at 12:00pm with words of remembrance to take place at 12:30pm. Her inurnment will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Peterborough at a private family service at a later date. In memory of Leslie, in lieu of flowers, donations to The Terry Fox Foundation or the Community Care Foundation, City of Kawartha Lakes – Hospice Services or to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
To donate to The Terry Fox Foundation, click HERE,
To donate to Community Care Kawartha Lakes, click HERE.
Leslie is survived by her loving parents, Robin and Diane (Tait) Creeden of Peterborough, proud siblings, sister, Jennifer Creeden (Herbert Roseneck), of Renfrew, and brother, Paul Creeden (Jo-Anne Guindon), of Oshawa. She will be greatly missed by her niece, Abigail Creeden, of Whitby and her nephew, Jacob Creeden, of Hamilton, both of whom she thought the world. She was predeceased by her devoted grandparents Nora and Robert Creeden of Paris and Josephine and Frank Tait of Petrolia. She was saddened by the early passing of her aunt, Elizabeth (Tait) Thompson, and her uncles, Robert Tait, Barry Edgar, and Delmar Thompson. Her cousin, Laura Froud, will meet with her in heaven. Leslie loved her family. Throughout SW Ontario, a contingent of aunts, uncles and cousins shared family celebrations and gatherings, welcomed her visits and buoyed her onward in her fight against cancer. Leslie once wrote, “Family are like branches on a tree; we all grow in different directions; yet, our roots remain as one.”
Born in Peterborough on December 15, 1969, Leslie moved to Cedarhill Farm in Otonabee in 1975, where she and her family enjoyed the adventures of farm life for forty years. In 1988, she graduated from St. Peter’s High School, where she had taken part in various academic, athletic and leadership roles. As well she participated in the Trent Swim Club and was given the opportunity to attend the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre as a student. Leslie’s commitment to the importance of youth development took her back to OELC, in later years, as a Teacher-Facilitator, Program Coordinator and Course Director. She ensured that the opportunity that she was given as a student to attend OELC continued to be provided to future students by encouraging teachers to nominate and youth to enrol at OELC.
Her aspiration to be a teacher and coach took her to McMaster University where, in 1992, she earned her Honours Degree in Physical Education, and next to the University of Ottawa for her Bachelor of Education. She began teaching at I. E. Weldon SS in Lindsay in the fall of 1993. Soon her desire to travel took her to Australia and New Zealand and into a two-year exchange teaching program in Colombia, South America. Leslie embraced new experiences from every encounter on her journeys. She shared these with her students when she returned full steam to teaching and coaching at Weldon, encouraging young people to realize their potential and to be the best they could be. This expertise and enthusiasm led to multiple COSSA championships and trips to OFSAA with senior girls’ and boys’ basketball teams. Many student athletes from over the years have continued to be in touch and to offer their gratitude and support, much to Leslie’s joy. Leslie also gave freely of her time and energy to the organizational and executive work of Kawartha District, COSSA and OFSAA. Her work with Wildcat Community Basketball gave young people another opportunity to participate, to develop their skills and to achieve success.
Leslie had always admired Terry Fox and had participated in the involvement of youth in his Marathon of Hope. With her own cancer diagnosis in 2019, she felt especially inspired by his efforts. She, with family, visited his memorial at Thunder Bay, where his run had ended. His words, “Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me,” rang loud and clear with Leslie. She worked with the Terry Fox Foundation writing lesson plans for the school Terry Fox Run. Thanks to all who contributed to “Team Keep Going” led by Leslie in the Community Run.
Thank you to all health care workers who supported Leslie in her journey including those at the Oshawa, Lindsay and Peterborough hospitals, the Cancer Care Clinic and the Lindsay Home and Community Care Clinic. A special acknowledgment to the staff at the Peterborough Hospital Emergency Dept., the Intensive Care Unit and the Palliative Ward for their care of Leslie. Our tremendous gratitude to Hospice Peterborough for its welcoming, safe space for Leslie and our family. We cherish all the people at Hospice who helped make Leslie’s final steps in her journey so peaceful.
Leslie’s faith sustained her and to those spiritual leaders who continued to guide her we are forever grateful.
To all of Leslie’s cherished friends, colleagues and associates and especially to all the young people who shared Leslie’s appreciation for working hard and achieving their goals, know that she appreciated the support of all of you.
Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are entrusted to Mackey Funeral Home, 33 Peel St., Lindsay. Leslie’s Memorial Mass will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 31 Russell St. East, Lindsay on Saturday, February 17th, 2024 at 10:30am. Leslie’s Celebration of Life will follow at Mackey’s Celebrations, 35 Lindsay St. North at 12:00pm with words of remembrance to take place at 12:30pm. Her inurnment will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Peterborough at a private family service at a later date. In memory of Leslie, in lieu of flowers, donations to The Terry Fox Foundation or the Community Care Foundation, City of Kawartha Lakes – Hospice Services or to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
To donate to The Terry Fox Foundation, click HERE,
To donate to Community Care Kawartha Lakes, click HERE.