Leslie Ballard's Hospice Journey and Passing

Update.. on  2/12/25 Lesli passed in her sleep in the early morning just before the sunrise with her son Jonathan by her side. 

Memorial services have not been made at this time.   

 Support for Lesli Ballard: A Life of Strength, Love, and Legacy

It is with heavy hearts that we share the difficult journey of our beloved Leslie Ann Ballard, a woman of resilience, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family, career, and community.

For over a year, Lesli has bravely battled cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and fighting with everything she has. Since November 8, 2024, she has been under hospice care, struggling to make the transition while holding on with incredible strength. Throughout this difficult time, her son Jonathan Ballard has been by her side every single day, offering constant care, love, and support.

A Life of Dedication and Passion

Lesli dedicated 22 years to Mountain Bell/US West/Qwest, following in the footsteps of her father, John William Ballard, who spent 44 years in the telephone industry before his passing in 1992. Her contributions helped shape Arizona’s telecommunications, including laying the foundation for the fiber optic infrastructure that supports Phoenix today.

Beyond her career, Lesli was a woman of many passions. She was an artist, a graduate of Arcadia High School (1967), and a participant in ASU’s art program. She traveled through San Francisco in the late ‘60s and later became a model for renowned sculptor John Waddell, whose bronze figures stand as a testament to artistic expression worldwide. She was also an avid collector of antique tins and unique treasures.

Lesli was a dedicated member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 35 years, where she found strength, purpose, and a community that supported her lifelong journey of sobriety.

She was a loving mother to twin sons, Jonathan and Geoffrey Ballard. After moving to Dewey, Arizona, in 1994 to raise them, she tragically lost Geoffrey in 2002. Despite her immense loss, she remained a pillar of love and support for her surviving son, Jonathan, and his growing family.

Lesli is survived by her son Jonathan Ballard, his former wife Vanessa, and their children: Isabella, Evelyn, Logan, and Heavenly Ballard. Though Jonathan and Vanessa divorced in 2017, they remain grateful for their shared journey and continue to co-parent with love and mutual respect. Leslie was also blessed to know her great-granddaughters, Freiya and Solveig.

How You Can Help

As Leslie fights this final battle, we humbly ask for support to help cover medical and hospice expenses, funeral costs, and ongoing family support. Jonathan has been by her side every day, giving everything he has to ensure she is comfortable and cared for in these final moments.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference in honoring Lesli’s life and easing the burden on those who love her most.

If Lesli touched your life—through her work, her art, her friendship, or her kindness—we invite you to donate and share this fundraiser.

Thank you for your love and support during this incredibly difficult time.

With gratitude,

The Ballard family!