Leslie Lee Jordon

Leslie Lee Jordon, age 66, of Hartsburg, passed away Saturday, December 22, 2012, at her home with family at her side, after a long battle with breast cancer. Leslie was born October 13, 1946, in Seattle, Wash. She was the beloved wife and best friend of Loren Chad Jordon, mother of Brooke (Jim) Rintoul of St. Louis and Russell (Laura) O'Mara of Jefferson City, and daughter of the late Les and Luella Hotsenpiller. Leslie is also survived by two brothers, Robert (Andrea) Hotsenpiller of Silver Springs, Md. and Wade (Audrey) Hotsenpiller of Virginia Beach, Va.; four granddaughters, Mia and Annalee Rintoul and Reagan and Addison O'Mara; a niece, Andrea (John) O'Malley of Media, Pa., a nephew, Greg (Kathy) Hotsenpiller of Coralville, Iowa, and many cousins. Leslie was generous and creative. She was a person of many talents. As an artist, a gardener, a devoted friend and an advocate, she brought intelligence and passion to all of her efforts. She had a way of making ordinary moments and things unique and special. She was a loving mother and grandmother, a ferocious reader, and a devoted caretaker of birds and her extensive gardens. She was quick to laugh and loved art, music, nature, travel, and her family. Supportive and encouraging, Leslie was a positive force in the lives of everyone she touched. Leslie's life was characterized by her love of humanity and, in particular, her love for and work on behalf of the disadvantaged, elderly, disabled and mentally ill. She spent her life working on programs to help those individuals. Leslie devoted herself to ensuring the dignity and equality of all lives. Leslie earned her bachelor's degree at Park College in Kansas City and her master's degree at the International Art Institute in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Leslie began her career as a social worker in Kansas City. She excelled at creating new funding streams for social programs. She was a pioneer in nursing home reform in the 1980s when, as Deputy Director of Institutional Services in the former Missouri Division of Aging, she took action against nursing homes providing substandard care. She often did this at personal risk without regard for position or politics. Later, she was responsible for the creation of innovative drug and alcohol programs for women with children. In both her professional and personal life, Leslie supported a wide variety of causes and charities. She leaves a legacy of the positive changes she made in the lives of countless individuals. Her memory will live on in all who got to know her. A private memorial will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to your local domestic violence shelter. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.