Leslie Ann (Grymes) Strachan

Phoenix, AZ – Leslie Ann Strachan, 52 of Phoenix passed away peacefully, Thursday, March 10th  at her home surrounded by her family.

Leslie was born July 13, 1963 in Eureka, California. She moved frequently with her family due to her father’s military service. As a child, she lived in California, Texas, Alaska, Virginia, Oregon, Louisiana and Washington. She graduated early from Slidell High School at age 16, so she would not have to complete her senior year in a new school. Leslie was exceptionally bright and excited to experience life after school.

She enlisted into the U.S. Air Force at age 17 and served just short of two years prior to her marriage to Mark Lindell. They spent the next 15 years traveling with the Air Force as Mark continued his career. The family lived in Maine, Illinois, Texas and Germany where she was a wife and mother to her two children, Michael and Nikki. She made extra money through her love and skill of baking and cake decorating.  Leslie and Mark later divorced and she moved with her children to Hamilton, Montana to be near her family.

While in Hamilton, Leslie worked at 4B’s and Twin Kitchens. It was while she was working at 4B’s she met and fell in love with James Strachan. They were married and spent 20 happy years together. During this time, Leslie attended the Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale, AZ. She graduated as a Pastry Chef and was an accomplished Chef. She worked for many years at various restaurants and bakeries in Montana, Utah, Wyoming and Arizona.

Leslie was preceded in death by her sister, Jodi Grymes.

She is survived by her husband, James Strachan of Phoenix, AZ; children, Michael (Danielle) Lindell of Arnold, MD and Nicole Lindell and her fiance’ Peter Gorz of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, James and Maghdalan; mother, Gerry Grymes of Hamilton, MT; father, Bob Grymes of Wickenberg, AZ; brother, Tom (Carron) Grymes of Hamilton, MT; nieces, Kyla and KaSondra Grymes; numerous aunts, cousins and extended family.

Private family services were held in Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.