Obituary

Leslie Cherelle Choquette, of Bellingham, passed away on February 5, 2020. Leslie was born on April 7, 1972. She beat all the odds and predictions by living 47 years. Although born with both mental and physical disabilities, they weren’t challenges but opportunities that never held her back. But she did know how to use them to her advantage! She used her smile and cuteness to get whatever she wanted or get out of whatever she didn’t want to do. A family favorite phrase was “oh, I can’t do that… my hands are too little!”

No one was a stranger to Leslie, only a friend she hadn’t met yet. To the horror of her parents, she would walk up to anyone and introduce herself, “Hi I’m Leslie. What’s your name?” Once she got their name, that new person was no longer a stranger but her new friend. We were always amazed by just how many friends she had. We ran into her “friends” on the Oregon coast and even Hawaii.

Promise Daycare, now Seedlings Early Learning Center, employed Leslie for 24 years. She loved her job. Like anyone, some days were better than others. What never changed was her love for the kids. Leslie loved babies and toddlers. She was always happy to be around them. Her family are so grateful for the opportunity she was given that provided years of joy.

Leslie was active in the Bellingham disabled adult community. Over the last 20 years, she made many friends by participating in different programs sponsored by Bellingham parks and recreation, Max Higby, Faith and Light at Assumption Parish, and Lions Club Camp Horizon. She loved the spin dances where she liked to boogie. She went on many day trips and got to hang out with her friends. Her favorite outings would include either eating or drinking coffee. She could be out somewhere and her little nose would start sniffing the air, and she’d say, “I smell food… Yummy!” Leslie never missed a meal.

Leslie visited people in the senior adult homes. She and her mom adopted a wonderful woman by the name of Miss Pauley, AKA Grandma. She brought light into her life, as her family did not live close. They shared fun lunches together and Leslie was always watching out for her so that she was safely in and out of the car, wheeling around in her wheelchair and preventing her from falling.

Leslie enjoyed taking her beloved dog Charlie to Alderwood Senior Care. She would walk the halls with Charlie and visit whoever wanted to pet him. She loved sharing Charlie, and he loved everyone. Charlie was paid with treats, which he never turned down.

Leslie loved her family most of all. She always wanted to be together as a family, whether for Sunday dinners, movies, getting nails done, or one of the many family vacations. She was very fortunate to see her extended family whether in California, Idaho, and even Germany. Her favorite vacations were to visit her sister Jackie, Grandma Rosa, Uncle Manfred, and Aunt Ulrike in Germany. She fit right in even if she didn’t speak German. For the words she knew in German, she would just sprinkle them into whatever she said. She always used the German she did know correctly. If she wasn’t understood, she would just say it again, just louder.

Leslie loved being a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, granddaughter and friend. Family is Family!

A Rosary Service will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 11:00am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 205 12th St, Lynden. A Funeral Mass & Reception will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, 11:00am, also at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 205 12th St, Lynden.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lions Camp Horizon Foundation, 7506 Gemini Street, Blaine, WA, 98230, or at https://lionscamphorizon.org/donate/. Please specify that donations in Leslie’s name are for “CAMPerships.”