Carole Arlene Leslie, 77, passed away on January 8th, 2016, at her home in Plymouth, MA, from cardiovascular disease and diabetes related causes.

She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California on September 21, 1938 to Nathanel "Nat" Leslie (born in England and then emigrated to New York City) and Merle Jossenberger (born in Texas). Her mother and father met in New York City while Merle was a Vaudeville dancer and Nat played in the orchestra.

They were married and moved to California, where they raised seven children in a vibrant, music-making household. Carole's father was Duke Ellington's main arranger and worked with Cab Calloway and the Dorsey Brothers, Pinto Colvig, Benny Goodman, Walt Disney, Fanny Brice, and on the Groucho Marx TV program, "You Bet Your Life" He also wrote lovely nursery songs for his children and Carole remembered every tune throughout the years. She adored her "Momma" and "Daddy" and spoke of them fondly and often.

Following in her father's footsteps, Carole showed a unique gift for music. She began studying & playing the clarinet at age 4. She was on NBC RADIO by the time she was 11, and after her solo performance, the radio announcer stated, " That wasn't Artie Shaw or Benny Goodman, ladies and gentlemen, that was little Carole Leslie, age 11." She had tremendous talent and was always assigned 1st chair in a concert performance, which was rare in those days, being a teenager and a female in the 1950s. When Carole would perform, she would get up from her chair, slip out of her shoes and play her clarinet in bare feet. She liked to feel connected to the stage.

When she was 21, she met and married Joseph James Varela. They were together for 53 years, and raised 3 beloved children; Tom, Pattie, and Terri Jo, and a granddaughter, Jenny.

Carole had a memory like an elephant; when a song came on the radio she could tell you the year it came out, and exactly what was going on in her life at the time. She recalled every date, and even the names of all of her children's friends, even forty years later. She had abundant stories to share about roaming the Hollywood hills barefoot, climbing trees like a monkey, seeing movies for fifteen cents and popcorn for a nickel. We will dearly miss her rich tapestry of tales; there were so many.

She gladly edited our papers, typing lightening fast. She confided in all of us and encouraged open conversation, vulnerability and honesty: no topic was off the table. She could be fiercely protective of us, and was a formidable advocate politically in her community. An animal rescuer and lover, she left behind two adorable Bichon dogs, Benji and Chloe, who she called, "her kids".

She was that beautiful Mom who came into school and dropped you off an extra special lunch if you left yours on the counter. She'd pick us up from school early sometimes, even if she knew we weren't really sick. She fluffed the pillows and read bedtime stories with enthusiasm. She always made sure our outfits matched and hair bows and socks were coordinated. At Christmastime she worked at a toy store in order to provide abundantly for us. Going out of her way to find you that perfect gift, was her great joy. For several years, she worked at her granddaughter's elementary school, supervising recess. On one occasion, she taught all of the kids on the playground to do the bunny hop. Even the toughest kids softened in her presence and called her, "Grandma". A natural with animals, she somehow managed to get wild birds to land in her hand for breadcrumbs. She had strength and smarts, and she exuded a childlike spirit; often dancing and singing in silly ways. She was humble and loved to chat it up with anyone.

Her favorite flowers were carnations. Bellodgia was her signature scent. A box of Sees Chocolates Nuts and Chews was her favorite gift to receive.

She lived her early years in Southern California, and then later in the San Francisco Bay Area. In September she had bravely driven cross country solo with her dogs in tow, to take up a new chapter overlooking a pretty pond in Plymouth, MA. She "just wanted to be near her great grand babies," Haven (age 3) and West (age 1). She thankfully saw a lot of her sweet boys these last three months of her life. Although her story ended too soon and unexpectedly, we will keep within us her zest, her goofiness, her bravery to be bold and start new chapters all throughout her life.

She is preceded in death by her beloved son Tom, her parents, and her dear brothers Brad and Larry. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Joe, her daughters Terri Jo Varela and Pattie Holm, her son-in-law, Donald Holm, her granddaughter Jenny DuClos, grandson-in-law Justin DuClos, her great grandsons, Haven and West DuClos, her devoted best friend of nearly 60 years, Donna Carrete and her daughter Debbe Carrete, as well as her sisters Louise, Helene, and Natalie "Teddy", brother Dennis and sister-in-law Fran, sister-in-law Joan Leslie, and many dear friends and relatives.

A private viewing was held on Friday, January 15th at MacDonald Funeral Home in Marshfield, MA and a cremation ceremony occurred on Tuesday, January 19th in Duxbury, MA at Mayflower Cemetery. A Celebration of Life with friends and family will occur at a later date in California. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Carole's honor to Bichon Frise Club of America Charitable Trust.
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