LEKSON, GLADYS MAY (PECSOK) An Albuquerque resident since 1975, died peacefully on January 21, 2014 at the age of 92, after five years of declining health. She was born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and grew up in the Cleveland area. With a degree in education from Western Reserve University, she taught school and worked in an office before marrying John Lekson in 1945. He was a career military officer, who served with the 82nd Airborne in World War II. She accompanied John on all but two of his subsequent assignments: his first assignment to Korea and his combat tour in Vietnam. Otherwise, they were posted to bases throughout the U.S., as well as Washington, DC, Austria, Italy, and South Korea. She was a strong partner for her husband throughout his career, actively involved in supporting the families of soldiers wherever she and John were assigned. When John retired as a Major General, they moved to Albuquerque, where her mother, an aunt and uncle, and her sister Nancy's family were already located. Gladys and John both made many close friends here, were actively engaged in family and community activities, and traveled extensively. Following his death in 1992, she moved to La Vida Llena retirement center, where she was a highly involved member of its community for many years, and continued her world travel, often accompanied by her sons Michael and Stephen and daughter-in-law Cathy and sometimes by her sister Nancy. In her final years at La Vida Llena, she lived in its memory unit, "Mi Casa," where the staff helped make it a loving home for her. Throughout her life, Gladys was a caring, engaged, and thoughtful person, who always did her best to make things better for others. She was a tremendous positive influence on all who knew her -- a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, aunt, sister, in-law, and friend. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on February 15 at La Vida Llena, followed by her interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date (still being scheduled). Those wishing to make a contribution in her memory are encouraged to donate to the Full Life Foundation, c/o La Vida Llena, 10501 Lagrima de Oro NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111. A fuller version of this obituary was published in the January 26 Journal. Please visit our online guest book for Gladys at www.FrenchFunerals.com FRENCH - Lomas 10500 Lomas Blvd NE 505-275-3500
LEKSON, GLADYS MAY (PECSOK) An Albuquerque resident since 1975, died peacefully on January 21, 2014 at the age of 92, after five years of declining health. She was born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and grew up in the Cleveland area. With a degree in education from Western Reserve University, she taught school and worked in an office before marrying John Lekson in 1945. He was a career military officer, who served with the 82nd Airborne in World War II. She accompanied John on all but two of his subsequent assignments: his first assignment to Korea and his combat tour in Vietnam. Otherwise, they were posted to bases throughout the U.S., as well as Washington, DC, Austria, Italy, and South Korea. She was a strong partner for her husband throughout his career, actively involved in supporting the families of soldiers wherever she and John were assigned. When John retired as a Major General, they moved to Albuquerque, where her mother, an aunt and uncle, and her sister Nancy's family were already located. Gladys and John both made many close friends here, were actively engaged in family and community activities, and traveled extensively. Following his death in 1992, she moved to La Vida Llena retirement center, where she was a highly involved member of its community for many years, and continued her world travel, often accompanied by her sons Michael and Stephen and daughter-in-law Cathy and sometimes by her sister Nancy. In her final years at La Vida Llena, she lived in its memory unit, "Mi Casa," where the staff helped make it a loving home for her. Throughout her life, Gladys was a caring, engaged, and thoughtful person, who always did her best to make things better for others. She was a tremendous positive influence on all who knew her -- a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, aunt, sister, in-law, and friend. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on February 15 at La Vida Llena, followed by her interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date (still being scheduled). Those wishing to make a contribution in her memory are encouraged to donate to the Full Life Foundation, c/o La Vida Llena, 10501 Lagrima de Oro NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111. A fuller version of this obituary was published in the January 26 Journal. Please visit our online guest book for Gladys at www.FrenchFunerals.com FRENCH - Lomas 10500 Lomas Blvd NE 505-275-3500