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- The Oregonian
October 18, 2012
Leslie A. Cook Rist
(Picture included)
Rist, Leslie A. Cook, 68, January 23, 1944 - October 14, 2012 - Strong and graceful to the very end, Leslie took Jesus' hand and danced her way into heaven Sunday morning. Her final days and hours found her closely surrounded by loving family and friends. Leslie was born in Los Angeles to Harry and June Bassett. She was the older sister and oft-challenged ringleader to twin brothers, Tom and Jerry, sister Candy, and little brother, Timmy. She grew up in Southern California in the days of poodle skirts and Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You." Her blue Schwinn bicycle had tassels on the handles, a basket in the front and playing cards clipped to the spokes. Leslie married her high school sweetheart, Clint Cook, and together they had three children, Cindy, Randy and Chris. They moved to San Antonio, Texas in the early 60s, where Clint served in the Air Force and Leslie began her life-long career in dental office management. In the mid-60s, they returned to Southern California and Leslie supported the family while Clint attended college. In the early 70s the family moved to Damascus. Soon after the move, Leslie applied for a front-desk job with Gladstone dentist Lynn Griffith. Leslie stayed with Lynn until his retirement 32 years later. In the early 80s, Leslie and Clint separated and in 1983, Leslie met Chuck Rist. Chuck was a popular and fun loving butcher at the Thriftway Store in Damascus. Sentimentally creative, Chuck gave Leslie a heart-shaped steak on Valentine's Day, 1984. They married and were inseparable until Chuck's death in 1989. Leslie considered the "Chuck years" to be the best years of her life. Leslie loved traveling to the Oregon Coast, quilting, reading books and collecting friends. She had hundreds of friends -- hundreds. An active member at Damascus Community Church, Leslie had a strong and loving bond with the Lord. She combined all of her favorite things - the coast, friends and the Lord - when she organized dozens of "Ladies' Retreats" through her church. Her final years were spent traveling to the coast, relaxing in Hawaii, doting on her grandchildren and enjoying the companionship of her close friend, Butch Scheehean. A celebration of Leslie's life will be held at Damascus Community Church on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leslie Cook Rist Memorial Fund at Damascus Community Church, 14251 SE Rust Way, Damascus, Oregon 97089.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1944 - 2012 (68 years)