Leslie Anne Meisner

Leslie Anne Meisner, known as "Sunny" to family and friends from coast to coast, died on Thursday, February 21st, resting peacefully at home with her loved ones after an extended illness. She managed this illness in the same way she lived her life: on her own terms. Leslie was born on February 16, 1950, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to her parents Grenes M. Meisner and Shirley Harrison Meisner Hyde. She is survived by her mother, her sister Lyle Meisner Williams, her brother Peter Meisner,
nieces Rachael Eads, Sarah Eads, Melanie Meisner, Olivia Meisner, and Madeline Meisner, and her companion Michael Symons.
Leslie attended Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans, graduating in 1968. After sailing through the Florida Keys, the Caribbean, and other exotic ports, Leslie entered the University of Florida in Gainesville, from which she received a Bachelor of Science degree. She then graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Nursing and thereafter practiced her profession in New Orleans before coming to live in San Jose, California, where she felt so much at ease and found a spiritual home. Leslie's San Jose home became "New Orleans West," displaying beautiful Jazz Fest posters and other Louisiana art, including her own sculpture, that offered everyone a unique and warm welcome.
Through Leslie's practice in neonatal nursing at Good Samaritan and O'Connor Hospitals, her teaching nursing courses at DeVry Institute, and her patient counseling at Kaiser Hospital, she cultivated countless close friends. She was known for her advocacy of patient's rights and employed her professional skill to educate patients about their medical care.
Leslie was a devoted animal owner and protector, always taking care to support the health and happiness of her beloved dogs, cats, and birds. Various charitable causes also benefitted from Leslie's and Michael's benevolent contribution, including Tapestry, Campbell Museum Board of Directors, and Campbell Summer Concerts in the Park.
Leslie decided to have a big, joyous party on the occasion of her 63rd birthday a few days before her death, and she welcomed long streams of family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and well-wishers to her home throughout the unusually beautiful, warm Sunday afternoon – as sunny as she herself always was.
She will be missed by everyone who knew her or who benefitted from her healing and guiding touch. But she will live on in our memories and in the many children she helped come into this world.
Relatives and Friends of the Family are invited to attend a Graveside service on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 9 AM in Hook & Ladder Cemetery, Gretna, LA 70053. For further funeral information or directions, please call Mothe Funeral Home at 504.366.4343. Family and friends may view and sign the online guestbook at www.mothefunerals.com .