Elizabeth F. "Betty" (Grimes) Leslie, age 96, loving wife of the late Gordon Eliott Leslie, died Tuesday afternoon August 5, 2014 at the Essex Park Rehabilitation and skilled Nursing Center of Beverly. Born in Beverly, Mrs. Leslie was the daughter of the late Arthur E. and Lillian A. (Morse) Grimes. She was raised and educated in Beverly.


Mrs. Leslie was a member of the Salem Association of Universalist Woman and a member of the First Universalist Church in Salem. Mrs. Leslie was employed with the Pilgrim Motel, later known as the Clipper Ship Inn in Salem. She was very active and enjoyed bowling for many years in a woman's bowling league. She played Bingo but most especially, she received great joy and happiness being with her family.

Surviving her are her eight children, Kenneth and his wife Valerie Bliss of Peabody, Ronald Leslie of Salem, Marlene and her husband Gerald Southerland of Lynn, Carolyn and her husband James Clements of Salem, Stephen and his wife Susan Leslie of Ipswich, Robin and his wife Carolyn Leslie of Beverly; Noel Leslie of Gloucester, one son in law Robert LaChance of Salem, one sister, Carolyn Peabody of Rowley; sixteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Audrey LaChance and also the sister of the late Norman, Arthur and Louis Grimes, Billy Barnes, Shirley Grimes, Phyllis Parker and Audrey Leighton.

Mrs. Leslie's Funeral Service will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem on Saturday August 9, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. Visiting hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. For those who wish memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For additional information or on line guest book please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.