Prudence "Prudi" (Elliott) Leslie

Prudence Lynn Leslie (née Elliott), 76, formerly of St. John, passed away peacefully on April 21, surrounded by her loving family.  Prudi, as everyone knew her, was the oldest of four daughters born to Carl and Elizabeth Elliott.  

She married her high school sweetheart, Bill Leslie, after completing her master’s degree in special education.  They were married for 52 years and enjoyed raising their children, traveling around the US and Europe, gardening, and spending time at their lake house.

In addition to her favorite role of Mom to Julie and Billy, she enjoyed teaching her special education students in the Hammond Public Schools, Grimmer Middle School in Schererville and Kahler Middle School in Dyer.  

Prudi was a lifelong member of Woodmar United Methodist Church.  There, she sang in the choir for 57 years and volunteered in many capacities.  A talented musician, she sang in the Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus for 20 years.  She shared her love of concerts and musicals with her friends, sisters, and children.

She was generous in giving her time and support to others, including being the primary caregiver for her father during his last years and helping friends and neighbors in need.  She had many lifelong friends and continued to meet with high school friends from Gavit High School.

Throughout her life, she pursued a love of travel, influencing her three sisters with her love of cruising and exploring the world.  Together, they took an annual “Elliott sisters’ trip” for 21 years.  She also gave her children the courage to explore opportunities far from home and lovingly delighted in their lives.

Prudi was a lifelong Girl Scout, participating as a scout, camper, camp counselor, and troop leader for her daughter.  She fulfilled her dream of going to the scouting World Centre “Our Chalet” in Switzerland in 2021 and 2022 with her daughter.

Last fall, just before the recurrence of the cancer that would take her life, she and her daughter traveled to Scandinavia, visiting an old scouting friend of hers and revisiting places she had explored as a young woman.

During one of her last conversations with one of her sisters, she shared how glad she was that she had done so many things that she dreamed of and gave encouragement to do things now and not put them off for “someday.”

She is survived by her husband, William J. Leslie; her children, William Elliott Leslie and Julia Elizabeth Leslie; her sisters, Lisa Medanic (Steve), Linda Johnsen (Donald), and Nancy Fisher (James); her brothers-in-law, Thomas Leslie, James Leslie, and John Leslie (Barbara); and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 8580 Wicker Ave in St. John on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 4-7 pm. Funeral services will be directly at Woodmar United Methodist Church in Hammond on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 12 pm.

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