Leslie Anne Campbell-Driesner, 41, died June 9th, 2019 in St. Louis University Hospital, after battling complications of liver failure.
Leslie was born on January 1st, 1978 in Highland, Illinois. She earned a B.A. in Modern Dance from the University of Illinois in 2002 and enjoyed a successful career as a Pilates instructor in Champaign/Urbana and the St. Louis area. She loved to dance and was always happiest when performing. She was creative and enjoyed sewing and crafting with her daughter. Leslie had many faithful friends. She was a caring daughter, thoughtful sister, and loving mother.
She is survived by daughter Vega Dei Driesner, former husband Kurt Driesner, parents Karen (Durbin) and Austin Campbell, siblings Matthew (Ann) Campbell, Andrea (Bill) Arnold, Allison Campbell (Brady Mills), Lauren Campbell (significant other, Daniel Mills) as well as numerous loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
There will be a celebration of life on June 29th, beginning with the 4 o’clock mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church and followed by a gathering at the Highland Country Club. Click here for more information.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a college fund for Leslie’s daughter Vega at The Gift of Education.
Tributes
Leave a tributeMost striking over the years have been Leslie’s kindness, generosity of spirit, sense of fairness and quiet humility. Of course, her sometimes offbeat sense of humor deserves mention, too, along with her penchant for tardiness. She was the kind of person who did not call attention to herself or her talents, but quietly went about her business. If you didn’t look carefully, you might miss her keen intellect.
In the occasionally uncharitable and insular world of Pilates, Leslie was extraordinarily generous in sharing her knowledge. Any sensible person observing her perform the work herself should have been intimidated. She moved through exercises demanding great physicality with a seemingly effortless lightness and grace, yet always remained modest and seemed surprised by a compliment. She was also one of the most talented and creative Pilates teachers I’ve come across, with an intuitive understanding and awareness of the body and her own brand of quirky but utterly precise cues to guide her clients. The work and teaching came so easily to her she sometimes seemed to take her talents for granted.
When things once got tough for me and a friend, she stood by us at great risk to herself. She didn’t make a big deal about it, but just quietly did the thing she believed was right.
Most importantly, when Vega was born Leslie was over the moon--completely in love with her daughter and with the whole idea and process of motherhood. She remarked then that she and Kurt carefully chose the name because Vega is one of the brightest stars in the night sky and perhaps the most important star after the sun. Leslie always spoke of Vega with a kind of unbridled pride and joy, proving the name was fitting.
Leslie was a bright star in her own right and I like to think she will keep watch over all of us from above. She will be missed and her memory cherished.
Leave a Tribute
Most striking over the years have been Leslie’s kindness, generosity of spirit, sense of fairness and quiet humility. Of course, her sometimes offbeat sense of humor deserves mention, too, along with her penchant for tardiness. She was the kind of person who did not call attention to herself or her talents, but quietly went about her business. If you didn’t look carefully, you might miss her keen intellect.
In the occasionally uncharitable and insular world of Pilates, Leslie was extraordinarily generous in sharing her knowledge. Any sensible person observing her perform the work herself should have been intimidated. She moved through exercises demanding great physicality with a seemingly effortless lightness and grace, yet always remained modest and seemed surprised by a compliment. She was also one of the most talented and creative Pilates teachers I’ve come across, with an intuitive understanding and awareness of the body and her own brand of quirky but utterly precise cues to guide her clients. The work and teaching came so easily to her she sometimes seemed to take her talents for granted.
When things once got tough for me and a friend, she stood by us at great risk to herself. She didn’t make a big deal about it, but just quietly did the thing she believed was right.
Most importantly, when Vega was born Leslie was over the moon--completely in love with her daughter and with the whole idea and process of motherhood. She remarked then that she and Kurt carefully chose the name because Vega is one of the brightest stars in the night sky and perhaps the most important star after the sun. Leslie always spoke of Vega with a kind of unbridled pride and joy, proving the name was fitting.
Leslie was a bright star in her own right and I like to think she will keep watch over all of us from above. She will be missed and her memory cherished.