Leslie C. Herr

Leslie C. Herr, loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend passed away on October 13th, 2025, at the age of 75.

Leslie, or Grandma Leslie, as her adoring grandchildren referred to her, was forever on a journey to better herself and the world around her. She was the brightest light.

She was born to Betty B. and Robert Z. Chew in Evanston, Illinois on May 27th, 1950. She often reminisced fondly of her high school days at New Trier and her senior year in Cleveland, Ohio when her family relocated. She cherished her childhood with brothers Bob and David.

Leslie used her Master’s degree from the University of Denver to begin her career as a speech therapist in Delta, Colorado, before settling in Montrose and helping thousands of children and adults communicate with the world around them. She was deeply passionate about the work she did, and many looked up to her. She modeled choosing a career you love to her four children: Heidi, Krista, Jenny, and Robert.

Leslie was determinedly kind and big-hearted, generous with her time and thoughtfulness – something many of us found inspiring and hard to match. She constantly examined the world, always looking to see how she could better understand those around her. Her ability to listen deeply with empathy was a gift to everyone she encountered.

The strength and bond of her friendships were very important in Leslie’s life. She found camaraderie within many groups of people including: her Bible study, hiking and skiing friends, neighbors, meditation and chanting groups, pickleball teams, dance friends, and of course her many wonderful colleagues at the schools, hospitals, and care facilities she worked at throughout her 47-year-long career. She found family in the company of her high school and Pi Phi friends with whom she adored spending hours on the phone.

Leslie had a lust for life and a free spirit. She was a trend setter and effortlessly cool. Meeting Janis Joplin before she struck it big and the Beatles when they had just jumped the pond. She had the best stories.

She moved to her beloved Western Slope in 1975, where she took up skiing, biking, hiking, and raised her family. With the father of her children, Bruce, they moved “south of town” and with humor and grit tried their hand at a country life raising pigs, chickens, rabbits, a slew of cats, and homeschooling the kids. Because of her devotion to that life, her children each have a deep reverence for the land they grew up on and for living a life close to nature.

Leslie was an avid learner and explorer, from getting scuba certified at 70 years old to learning how to play the harmonium to keeping up with the new technology and research of her field. She even visited Uzbekistan in recent years. As a lover of writing and books, her library of knowledge was vast, and she could hold a conversation with anyone on just about any topic.

Leslie held deep faith in Christianity and a spiritual practice through the Self Realization Fellowship and Zen Buddhism. Her humble practice led her to live a simple life with gratitude and love for all beings. She never judged or failed to give her generous heart to someone because of politics, religion, or a difference in beliefs. She was a healer and modeled the ways of Jesus in the care she gave to others. Many have called her the most forgiving person they have ever met.

Leslie will be remembered as magnetic, exceptionally sharp, fun, full of energy, beautiful, resilient, and absolutely hilarious.

Leslie is survived by her daughters: Heidi (Chad) Bassett of Parker, CO; Krista (Eric) Tarantino of Carmel, CA; Jennifer Herr of San Francisco, CA; and Robert Herr of Santa Barbara, CA. Her brothers: Robert Z. Chew III and David Chew. Her nieces: Courtney and Christy Chew. Her mother, Betty B. Chew. Her four grandchildren: Conner, Evelyn, and Cole Bassett and Lennon Lucille Herr. The father of her children, Bruce Herr. She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Z. Chew Jr.

Leslie’s life ended at the height of her enjoying it, with her heart wide open, and for that we are thankful. True to her spirit, she handled her illness with grace, a learner's mind, and determination. Though her passing has left an emptiness in the hearts of many, the outpouring of love from her community has been overwhelming. In her last weeks she mentioned how celebrated she felt by her friends and family on this journey.

In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make a donation to the Crestone Mountain Zen Center or do something kind for a neighbor. While Leslie felt that a celebration of life might be “a bit dramatic,” services will be held in the spring.