Obituary of Leslie Anne Lajoie

Leslie Anne (Gladd) Lajoie passed away peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday May 12, 2021 in the early morning hours. She was surrounded by her children and beloved husband in her home of Rochester, New York.

Leslie was born on January 30, 1967 in Saranac Lake, New York, to Ronald and Martha (Finn) Gladd. Leslie graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1985, and received her bachelors from the State University of New York (SUNY Brockport) in Recreation Management in December 1991. In March 1992, Jim, a TSgt in the U.S. Air Force, met Leslie who worked for the Mountain Home AFB (MWR) Youth Center. Leslie and Jim were united in marriage on May 15, 1993 in Mountain Home, Idaho. Leslie was a woman of faith, grace, and constantly reminded her family and friends to “Keep the Faith”. She assisted James in many CONUS (state side) military moves. Through God’s love they parented six children and were blessed to celebrate just shy of 28 years of marriage.

Leslie is survived by her loving husband, James E. Lajoie, and their four daughters, Cylie (husband Kainin: sons- Karder, Kohen, Kingslee, and Karson) of Mount Juliet, TN -Melody (husband Coleman: daughters- SylvieAnn and NoraKate and son- Joseph Coleman Timberlake V) of Old Hickory, TN -Sara (Nicholas) of Webster, NY -Clare (husband Tim: daughter Molly and son: Kolbe) of Penfield, NY and two sons, Corey (Megan) of Cookeville, TN and Peter James, U.S. Air Force Okinawa, Japan. She is also survived by her 3 siblings Tom (Michelle) of Albany, NY, Hilary (Peter) of Ontario, NY , and Nancy (Derek) of Kingsport, TN, and numerous nieces and nephews. Leslie was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald and Martha (Finn) Gladd.

Leslie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic church and a former member of St. Rita’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed teaching faith formation classes and sharing her love of the Lord with the younger generation. She enjoyed crocheting, travel, hiking, camping, and volunteering for different organizations in Rochester. Her love for children radiated everywhere she went and was evident in the legacy she left behind. She often went above and beyond for her kids; in her death, Leslie would like to share one final gift. It is in her final wish that in lieu of gifts or flowers, families could donate to Leslie’s wishes for Generations account that was established in her name. Checks or Venmo will be accepted- please make checks payable to: Leslie’s wishes for Generations and mail them to James LaJoie at 59 Bunker Hill Drive, Rochester NY 14625. (If you have any questions, please reach out) The funds collected will be gifted to Generations Childcare Center of Fairport to be used to fund the future education of the next generation of children to come.

Friends will be received 2:00-5:00 pm Sunday May 23, 2021 at Jennings Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home at 1704 Penfield Road, Penfield, New York 14526. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Jim Schwartz at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Penfield 11:00 am Monday May 24, 2021. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, of Penfield, New York. After the conclusion of the burial service, A celebration of life will take place at Irondequoit Bay Fish & Game Club (658 Bay Front South Rochester, NY 14609) from 1pm-4pm.