LESLIE IRENE DYMOND

Leslie Irene Dymond, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully in Bryn Mawr Hospital, on Sunday, December 13, 2020, with her family by her side.

She was predeceased by the Love-of-her-life, the late Dr. Harold David Dymond.

Leslie was the daughter of the late Lily and David Raphael of New York, and West Palm Beach, Florida, who were both born in Liverpool, England. Leslie was born in New York City on March 23rd, 1925, and lived on Long Island until her marriage, at which time the couple lived in Philadelphia, PA, while Harold attended medical school. They moved to Wilkes-Barre, PA, when Harold opened his practice of podiatry in 1950.

 

Leslie, from New York, and Harold, born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, met in the summer of 1946 after he returned from serving as a very proud Marine, First Division, in the Pacific theatre of action in WW II. Harold had been wounded at Peleliu Island and received a Purple Heart for his action. He was on summer break from medical school, and as fate would have it, he and Leslie both got summer jobs at the same hotel in the Catskill Mountains. It was a storybook romance that began three days after they met, and the summer romance lasted 55 years. They were married in 1948, and together until Harold’s death in 2003.

 

Leslie attended elementary and high school in New York City, and Brooklyn College. She worked at several jobs before marriage, including the United States Department of the Navy. Leslie loved fashion, and greatly enjoyed working at    B. Altman on Fifth Avenue in NYC, and the Blum Store, in Philadelphia.

 

Leslie had a beautiful voice, and loved to sing. When an aunt called to say that she had read an ad in the newspaper that they were auditioning for the Apprentice Chorus of the NYC Metropolitan Opera, Leslie went for an audition, was accepted, and performed with them for several years. It was very exciting, but she really preferred singing songs of the “Big Bands.”  

 

Leslie worked in Wilkes-Barre when her children were in high school. She was a front desk reservationist at the former Host Motel, a sales associate at the former American Clothing, then later a teacher’s aide at Dan Flood Elementary School. She also worked as an outside agent for several local travel agencies. She was excellent in each position, and enjoyed them all.

 

Her children had enormous respect and admiration for her motivation, her work ethic, and versatility. Not to mention, her exceptional “people-skills!”

 

Upon retirement, Leslie volunteered in the coffee shop of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for 18 years, which she also thoroughly enjoyed doing.

 

Leslie was a Democratic Committee woman for 40 years, representing the largest district in Wilkes-Barre. 

 

She read constantly—staying current, genuinely curious, and passionately involved in discussions regarding crucial local, national, and global events.  Being informed, and intellectually engaged, always mattered to her.

 

For recreation, Leslie bowled in a league for some 25 years, as well as being an avid Mah Jongg and Bridge player (which she participated in weekly, well into her 90’s).  She also was very skilled at knitting and crocheting, which she found quite relaxing. As a couple, Leslie and Harold’s favorite vacation was cruising, and they were lucky enough to enjoy that together for many years. They both loved to dance, were excellent dancers, and won prizes several times in dance contests on various cruise ships. They also enjoyed travel to Europe, visiting Leslie’s parents in Florida, and periodic bus trips to New York City to attend Broadway shows.

 

Leslie was a member of the Jewish Community Center, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Jewish War Veterans, and Ohav Zedek synagogue.

 

Leslie cherished the family dogs, Rusty and Schnoodle. Her son and daughter would often tease her, as well as tease their Dad, that the dogs were their “other children.” There was no disagreement from either parent about that!

 

Leslie had a huge heart, a gorgeous smile, terrific sense of humor, and an infectious laugh. She was an extraordinary wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a wonderfully nurturing person overall, and a marvelous cook, who so enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. Her home was always “open and welcome” to company. She had a tremendous loyalty to her family and friends, and was an exceptional listener and confidante.

 

In general, Leslie loved life, and fully engaged in it always.  She was very “young” in her way of thinking, and her children’s friends could not believe her age, whenever they would inquire as to how old she was, right into her 90’s.

She was simply a beautiful human being, whose Light will be missed by so many, and leave a profound void in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know and love her, and be loved by her.

 

Leslie is survived by her beloved family: her children Mark, Deborah, David [son-in-law], her granddaughter Lilly (Derek Krissinger), her great-grandchildren Caleb, Sophia, Vera, and Aiden, her sister, Annette, her niece, Alissa, and her nephew, Eric.

 

Due to covid concerns, funeral services were held privately on December 15, 2020.

 

If you wish to make a donation in honor of Leslie’s memory, her family would appreciate your consideration of the Luzerne County SPCA.  Given Leslie’s love of dogs, they know she would have been very grateful for that kindness, as well.

 

Arrangements by Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, Inc. www.RosenbergFuneralChapel.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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