Leslie Fairbanks Kane was born March 19, 1953 in Lewiston, Maine, to John Swetland Kane and Elizabeth Joslin Kane.
Leslie passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 1, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. Always ready for adventure, and a lover of nature, she spent her childhood floating the Saco River, climbing the White Mountains of New Hampshire, swimming in Kezar Lake, picking raspberries at her dad’s home patch, and soaking up the sun on the sandy coastal beaches of Maine. Family was especially important to Leslie, and often she quoted her father in saying, “It’s all about the family.” Camping brought about an especially rich time for family fun and the creation of much family lore, which Leslie loved to retell with gusto.
Leslie graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1971 and Endicott Junior College in 1973 with a degree in Fashion Design. She went on to work for Design Research in Cambridge, Mass, where her love of fiber and sewing flourished. Known for collecting fabric, Leslie fell in love with Marimekko and used the popular Finnish designs in many of her sewing creations.
After marrying Scott Wilfong in 1975, Leslie took on the role of motherhood. She was a devoted mother and surrounded her children and later grandchildren with love and memories. Well known for encouraging anything they were interested in, Leslie showered those she loved with letters and elaborately decorated gifts. Family meant the world to her. After Leslie and Scott parted ways, they remained close and co-parented with grace and love.
Leslie started the clothing business “Leslie David” after marrying David Brooks in 1986. She was influenced by the colors and richness of the lands she and David traveled to, and this was reflected in her eclectic choice of fashion designs. Leslie and David loved to entertain, and friend and family gatherings at their home were always full of fun, music, and great food!! She continued her business after parting ways with David and moving to Crestone, Colorado, in 2015 to be closer to her granddaughters. She and David remained close.
An avid gardener, Leslie was known to always have flowers around her. She loved traveling with her sisters and daughter. Spirituality and her connection to God was a big part of Leslie’s world. She loved everyone, and never met a stranger. She truly never had an unkind word to say about anyone. She loved unconditionally, and encouraged everyone to follow their passions.
Leslie is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Joslin Kane, her son Josh (Deana) Wilfong, and daughter Kim Wilfong (Charly Crnjar), and her grandchildren Piper and Moxie Wilfong and John Crnjar.
Leslie is also survived by her siblings, Ellen Soroka, Lawrence (Nancy) Kane, and Michelle Kane, nieces and nephews Sarah (Michael) Maloney, Michael John (Barbara) Soroka, and Betsy Kane (Micah Weiss), as well as grandnieces and grandnephews Ileana and Theo Soroka, Nathan, Luke, and Adam Maloney, Alden, Eowyn and Athena Weiss.
Leslie is preceded in death by her father, John Swetland Kane, and brother-in-law Michael D. Soroka.
Leslie remained close with all extended family from all her connections and is remembered more than fondly by the Wilfong family as well as the Brooks family.
Leslie taught us to love big, surround yourself with beauty, and accept all. May we remember in her honor how these actions can change the world.