Lynda "Leslie" DeLore

LYNDA 'LESLIE' BELLUS-DELORE

Lynda Leslie DeLore, of La Grande, OR native, died at her residence May 13th, 2017, after a courageous 2 1/2 year battle against pancreatic cancer, with her devoted partner and family members at her side. She was 67. Born August 17, 1949, in La Grande, she was the youngest of three daughters born to Leslie Vivan Bellus, and Leaila Ott-Bellus.

She grew up in La Grande, attending Willow School, La Grande Jr. High, and graduating from La Grande High School, in 1967. It was during her Jr. High years that Lynda became 'Leslie', because there were four Lindas in her class, and she was the only Leslie. Since Leslie was also her Dad's name, that was even better. Eventually, she was Lynda professionally, Lynn to her colleagues, and Leslie to friends and family.

For a number of years, Leslie traveled widely across the United States, many times living in marginal economic conditions, while she accumulated work experience, and earned professional certifications. During that period, she was married and divorced twice, bore three sons, and was a struggling single mother by her mid-twenties.

In 1981, she met, and began dating, Ed DeLore in La Grande. They were married on

Halloween, 1983, in Ventura, CA. Leslie took her sons trick-or-treating that night, still wearing her wedding dress. They remained in Ventura until Leslie's youngest son, Jason graduated from high school. Jason joined the Navy the next day, while Ed and Leslie were headed north, driving a U-Haul, back to Ed's original home in Coos Bay, OR.

Once settled in Coos Bay, Ed worked at Conrad's/Lumbermens/Pro-Build in various capacities, including purchasing, special orders, and account management. Leslie enjoyed working as exhibit designer/cataloguer at Coos County Historical Museum, staff member at the South Slough Marine Estuarine Reserve, and Emergency Dispatcher for Gold Coast Security.

In March, 2004, four years after successful quadruple-bypass surgery, Ed lost his struggle with cancer, and Leslie was left to continue working at Gold Coast Security, attending church, and caring for her rescue dog and cats.

Although she moved many places over the years, she always returned to La Grande. In July 2006, Leslie began dating John Milbert of La Grande, OR, whom she had known

for decades as Ed's best friend. In May, 2007, she moved back to La Grande to become John's cherished partner for the next ten years. The house in which her life ended stands next door to the one in which she started life, and in which she grew up.

Leslie was never happier than when astride a horse, unless she was helping deliver a lamb. She became known to some as 'the goat midwife', for having saved several nannies and kids during breech deliveries. She was passionate about caring for all animals, and was a highly prized 'critter sitter' for a select clientele. Few things gave her more pleasure than being out, seeing, and photographing, elk, deer, eagles, pronghorns, and all the waterfowl and other birds. Another favorite activity was fishing, a passion which she shared with her Mom. She caught her last big, bright fish at Troy just two months before her passing; the only fish caught on the river that week.

Leslie was always ready for a new adventure. Whenever she was riding the back roads in the mountains, she'd see an unfamiliar, overgrown road and ask, "Where does that road go?" If the reply was, "I don't know.", her immediate response was invariably, "Let's find out!" The only thing that could disappoint her on such an exploration was if the road was blocked farther down, and she was forced to return the way she came in. She'd already seen that; she was looking for something new. On her last trip outdoors, she saw the first yellow-headed blackbirds of the season, her personal 'official sign of Spring'. She said, "Aren't we blessed to live in such a beautiful place?" She devoted countless hours to the welfare of rescue animals, and was a passionate advocate of Union County's no-kill shelter. While she accepted ethical hunting, she had no tolerance for killing for its own sake. As a child, she attacked an older boy cousin with a length of 2x4, because she saw him shoot an owl, and laugh about it.

Leslie's favorite flower was the Lilac, especially for the fragrance. During her final days, she was able to enjoy smelling the first blooms from her mother's old Lilacs, next door. She enjoyed all seasons, but reveled in Spring. She looked forward to the new green, the wildflowers, blooming trees, and all the returning birds. She had many cherished pets, but her favorites were her last: an 11 year-old blonde Border Collie, Toija, and a 21 year-old calico cat named Fancy.

When she wasn't caring for, or otherwise enjoying animals, Leslie was likely to be found crocheting an afghan for someone's new baby. She was accomplished at needlepoint, embroidery, crocheting, fine beading, and learned stained-glass techniques for her final project; a magnificent Bald Eagle window panel. Invariably, she gave away her creations; everything she made was intended for someone else. Her life was characterized by a need to stop in the middle of everything, including rush-hour freeways, to help anyone, human or animal, any place, any time. If she couldn't help, she wasn't happy.

While she wasn't inclined to join organizations, Leslie did join Friends of the Grande Ronde Valley, and was a staunch supporter of their effort to curtail the proliferation of wind turbines in Union county.

Her favorite color was turquoise, or turquoise, or turquoise.

Among the hundreds of special moments in her life, a few became indelible memories: The day her Dad took her from school to go out into the valley, and watch as thousands of geese passed over in waves for hours. He told her, "Remember this; you'll never see it again!" The births of her sons. Looking down into a Golden Eagle's nest. Finally seeing a bear up close on her 61st birthday. Sitting, enraptured, as nearly a thousand feeding elk quietly surrounded her. She celebrated her 65th birthday by going skydiving.

Her favorite saying: "Life's just full of these little adventures!"

Leslie is survived by her devoted partner and caregiver, John Milbert, of La Grande; sons, Daniel McShane, of San Antonio, TX, Travis Cantrall, of Phoenix, AZ, and Jason Cantrall, of Clovis, NM; 'daughter' Tonya Sanchez, of Friant, CA; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Keith Winburn, of La Grande; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Leaila Bellus; her husband Edwin Norris DeLore; and her sister, Jaqueline Ione Hayes.

An exceptional person of constantly emerging, unexpected insights, deep compassion, and an incredible capacity to love, she never lost her child's sense of wide-eyed wonder and exuberant passion in everything she did. Her radiant smile and unique delighted giggle left an indelible impression on everyone who knew her. Her partner called her, "My Little Girl". Leslie leaves a legacy of Love, Laughter, Compassion, and Caring.

Contributions in her memory can be made to: Animal Rescue and Adoption Center of Eastern Oregon through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  On line condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

 Service Information