Father: Stuart Maitland Canby (1895 - 1931)
Mother: Kathryn Leslie (Kerns) Bradford (1904–1987)
Stepfather: Donald Bradford (1897–1981)
Spouse: Samuel Wheeler m. 1956 divorced 1972
Son: John Wheeler
Son: Charles "Chuck" Wheeler
Son: Edward "Ted" Wheeler, Mayor of Portland, OR
Son: Thomas "Tom" Wheeler
Obituary:
Leslie died peacefully June 9, 2020 at the age of 90 with her sons by her side. She had an upbeat, cheerful personality and always seemed to know the next right thing to do. She was the world's greatest planner, and was still doing so, pretty much right up to a few days before her death, using the last bit of energy she could muster, mostly for the benefit of others. She will be missed by all.
Although she strongly believed in treating those in her community with dignity and respect, and made a great many friends out of those with whom her life intersected, even if just briefly, she was also blessed with many close friends in her life. They were part of a crew of others in her social sphere and childhood in Portland who shaped and influenced her life, and were indeed influenced by her. They and her sons' boyhood friends were always a special part of her life. In her own words, she thought of longtime friends as "being like sisters," this having special significance since she was an only child. Later in life, her favorite home away from home became Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs, where she loved hosting her sons and their families over the years. She deeply missed her home and friends in Palm Springs when she was no longer able to travel there.
Leslie was a truly devoted mother. It was, without a doubt, a major component of her life. She always considered raising her sons her final career, and she was proud of it. (She had words to those who could not understand her admiration of being a homemaker.) But this dedication went beyond responsibility for Leslie. She often said she had always dreamed of raising a family, and surprisingly, having four boys did not dim that passion. She reveled in it, and that love, and real work, through thick and thin, (and there is always some "thin" in life), created a whole loving family when it could be said the odds were perhaps tough at times. Imagine a woman, an only child too, raising four sons, mostly on her own in the 1970's and 80's. If you can, then it makes sense to let a true Portland matriarch finish her own obituary, as she wrote it: (Of course she did.)
Leslie was born in Portland, the daughter of Kathryn Leslie Kerns and Stuart Maitland Canby of Chicago. Following Stuart Canby's untimely death, her mother married Donald Bradford of San Francisco, who adopted Leslie. Except for brief periods of time, Leslie was a lifetime Portland resident, as were her mother, grandparents, and great grandparents. Her great grandfather, John Kerns wrote a daily journal while coming to Oregon by covered wagon as a young man with his father in the mid 1800's. Leslie attended Ainsworth and Catlin schools and Stanford University, where she completed majors in sociology and education. In 1956, she and Samuel Wheeler were married at Trinity Episcopal Church (now Cathedral) by Bishop Benjamin Dagwell. Their first home was in Lebanon, Oregon while Sam was employed by Western Veneer and Plywood. During that time, their four sons were born. In 1965, the family returned to Portland, where Sam began his career with Willamette Industries. In the early 1970's Leslie and Sam divorced. Leslie remained involved with her children's activities and community volunteering. She was on the board of the Portland Junior League, president of the Lincoln High School PTA, and president of the Stanford Parents Club of Oregon. (As a young girl, Leslie had visited the Stanford campus, and fell in love with university and the hope of attending there. It did not disappoint, and her time there became part of her fondest memories.) Leslie enjoyed more than 50 years of membership in The Town Club, and was on it's board and served as president. She was a 50 year member of the Multnomah Athletic Club and a longtime member of the University Club. She became a new member of Waverly Country Club when she decided to take up golf around the age of 70.
Surviving family members include her sons, John, Charles "Chuck," Edward "Ted," and Thomas "Tom;" and grandchildren, Jack, Sarah, Coleman, Sam, Ruby, and Quinnlan. Her godsons were special to her as well, Andrew Rein, Jack Altstadt, Tom Stiewer, Jim Hall, and Donald Bunch.
Due to Covid circumstances, a decision was made to delay a memorial service in her honor until the Spring, the date to be determined soon.
Published in The Oregonian from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, 2020.
Mother: Kathryn Leslie (Kerns) Bradford (1904–1987)
Stepfather: Donald Bradford (1897–1981)
Spouse: Samuel Wheeler m. 1956 divorced 1972
Son: John Wheeler
Son: Charles "Chuck" Wheeler
Son: Edward "Ted" Wheeler, Mayor of Portland, OR
Son: Thomas "Tom" Wheeler
Obituary:
Leslie died peacefully June 9, 2020 at the age of 90 with her sons by her side. She had an upbeat, cheerful personality and always seemed to know the next right thing to do. She was the world's greatest planner, and was still doing so, pretty much right up to a few days before her death, using the last bit of energy she could muster, mostly for the benefit of others. She will be missed by all.
Although she strongly believed in treating those in her community with dignity and respect, and made a great many friends out of those with whom her life intersected, even if just briefly, she was also blessed with many close friends in her life. They were part of a crew of others in her social sphere and childhood in Portland who shaped and influenced her life, and were indeed influenced by her. They and her sons' boyhood friends were always a special part of her life. In her own words, she thought of longtime friends as "being like sisters," this having special significance since she was an only child. Later in life, her favorite home away from home became Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs, where she loved hosting her sons and their families over the years. She deeply missed her home and friends in Palm Springs when she was no longer able to travel there.
Leslie was a truly devoted mother. It was, without a doubt, a major component of her life. She always considered raising her sons her final career, and she was proud of it. (She had words to those who could not understand her admiration of being a homemaker.) But this dedication went beyond responsibility for Leslie. She often said she had always dreamed of raising a family, and surprisingly, having four boys did not dim that passion. She reveled in it, and that love, and real work, through thick and thin, (and there is always some "thin" in life), created a whole loving family when it could be said the odds were perhaps tough at times. Imagine a woman, an only child too, raising four sons, mostly on her own in the 1970's and 80's. If you can, then it makes sense to let a true Portland matriarch finish her own obituary, as she wrote it: (Of course she did.)
Leslie was born in Portland, the daughter of Kathryn Leslie Kerns and Stuart Maitland Canby of Chicago. Following Stuart Canby's untimely death, her mother married Donald Bradford of San Francisco, who adopted Leslie. Except for brief periods of time, Leslie was a lifetime Portland resident, as were her mother, grandparents, and great grandparents. Her great grandfather, John Kerns wrote a daily journal while coming to Oregon by covered wagon as a young man with his father in the mid 1800's. Leslie attended Ainsworth and Catlin schools and Stanford University, where she completed majors in sociology and education. In 1956, she and Samuel Wheeler were married at Trinity Episcopal Church (now Cathedral) by Bishop Benjamin Dagwell. Their first home was in Lebanon, Oregon while Sam was employed by Western Veneer and Plywood. During that time, their four sons were born. In 1965, the family returned to Portland, where Sam began his career with Willamette Industries. In the early 1970's Leslie and Sam divorced. Leslie remained involved with her children's activities and community volunteering. She was on the board of the Portland Junior League, president of the Lincoln High School PTA, and president of the Stanford Parents Club of Oregon. (As a young girl, Leslie had visited the Stanford campus, and fell in love with university and the hope of attending there. It did not disappoint, and her time there became part of her fondest memories.) Leslie enjoyed more than 50 years of membership in The Town Club, and was on it's board and served as president. She was a 50 year member of the Multnomah Athletic Club and a longtime member of the University Club. She became a new member of Waverly Country Club when she decided to take up golf around the age of 70.
Surviving family members include her sons, John, Charles "Chuck," Edward "Ted," and Thomas "Tom;" and grandchildren, Jack, Sarah, Coleman, Sam, Ruby, and Quinnlan. Her godsons were special to her as well, Andrew Rein, Jack Altstadt, Tom Stiewer, Jim Hall, and Donald Bunch.
Due to Covid circumstances, a decision was made to delay a memorial service in her honor until the Spring, the date to be determined soon.
Published in The Oregonian from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, 2020.
Father: Stuart Maitland Canby (1895 - 1931)
Mother: Kathryn Leslie (Kerns) Bradford (1904–1987)
Stepfather: Donald Bradford (1897–1981)
Spouse: Samuel Wheeler m. 1956 divorced 1972
Son: John Wheeler
Son: Charles "Chuck" Wheeler
Son: Edward "Ted" Wheeler, Mayor of Portland, OR
Son: Thomas "Tom" Wheeler
Obituary:
Leslie died peacefully June 9, 2020 at the age of 90 with her sons by her side. She had an upbeat, cheerful personality and always seemed to know the next right thing to do. She was the world's greatest planner, and was still doing so, pretty much right up to a few days before her death, using the last bit of energy she could muster, mostly for the benefit of others. She will be missed by all.
Although she strongly believed in treating those in her community with dignity and respect, and made a great many friends out of those with whom her life intersected, even if just briefly, she was also blessed with many close friends in her life. They were part of a crew of others in her social sphere and childhood in Portland who shaped and influenced her life, and were indeed influenced by her. They and her sons' boyhood friends were always a special part of her life. In her own words, she thought of longtime friends as "being like sisters," this having special significance since she was an only child. Later in life, her favorite home away from home became Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs, where she loved hosting her sons and their families over the years. She deeply missed her home and friends in Palm Springs when she was no longer able to travel there.
Leslie was a truly devoted mother. It was, without a doubt, a major component of her life. She always considered raising her sons her final career, and she was proud of it. (She had words to those who could not understand her admiration of being a homemaker.) But this dedication went beyond responsibility for Leslie. She often said she had always dreamed of raising a family, and surprisingly, having four boys did not dim that passion. She reveled in it, and that love, and real work, through thick and thin, (and there is always some "thin" in life), created a whole loving family when it could be said the odds were perhaps tough at times. Imagine a woman, an only child too, raising four sons, mostly on her own in the 1970's and 80's. If you can, then it makes sense to let a true Portland matriarch finish her own obituary, as she wrote it: (Of course she did.)
Leslie was born in Portland, the daughter of Kathryn Leslie Kerns and Stuart Maitland Canby of Chicago. Following Stuart Canby's untimely death, her mother married Donald Bradford of San Francisco, who adopted Leslie. Except for brief periods of time, Leslie was a lifetime Portland resident, as were her mother, grandparents, and great grandparents. Her great grandfather, John Kerns wrote a daily journal while coming to Oregon by covered wagon as a young man with his father in the mid 1800's. Leslie attended Ainsworth and Catlin schools and Stanford University, where she completed majors in sociology and education. In 1956, she and Samuel Wheeler were married at Trinity Episcopal Church (now Cathedral) by Bishop Benjamin Dagwell. Their first home was in Lebanon, Oregon while Sam was employed by Western Veneer and Plywood. During that time, their four sons were born. In 1965, the family returned to Portland, where Sam began his career with Willamette Industries. In the early 1970's Leslie and Sam divorced. Leslie remained involved with her children's activities and community volunteering. She was on the board of the Portland Junior League, president of the Lincoln High School PTA, and president of the Stanford Parents Club of Oregon. (As a young girl, Leslie had visited the Stanford campus, and fell in love with university and the hope of attending there. It did not disappoint, and her time there became part of her fondest memories.) Leslie enjoyed more than 50 years of membership in The Town Club, and was on it's board and served as president. She was a 50 year member of the Multnomah Athletic Club and a longtime member of the University Club. She became a new member of Waverly Country Club when she decided to take up golf around the age of 70.
Surviving family members include her sons, John, Charles "Chuck," Edward "Ted," and Thomas "Tom;" and grandchildren, Jack, Sarah, Coleman, Sam, Ruby, and Quinnlan. Her godsons were special to her as well, Andrew Rein, Jack Altstadt, Tom Stiewer, Jim Hall, and Donald Bunch.
Due to Covid circumstances, a decision was made to delay a memorial service in her honor until the Spring, the date to be determined soon.
Published in The Oregonian from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, 2020.
Mother: Kathryn Leslie (Kerns) Bradford (1904–1987)
Stepfather: Donald Bradford (1897–1981)
Spouse: Samuel Wheeler m. 1956 divorced 1972
Son: John Wheeler
Son: Charles "Chuck" Wheeler
Son: Edward "Ted" Wheeler, Mayor of Portland, OR
Son: Thomas "Tom" Wheeler
Obituary:
Leslie died peacefully June 9, 2020 at the age of 90 with her sons by her side. She had an upbeat, cheerful personality and always seemed to know the next right thing to do. She was the world's greatest planner, and was still doing so, pretty much right up to a few days before her death, using the last bit of energy she could muster, mostly for the benefit of others. She will be missed by all.
Although she strongly believed in treating those in her community with dignity and respect, and made a great many friends out of those with whom her life intersected, even if just briefly, she was also blessed with many close friends in her life. They were part of a crew of others in her social sphere and childhood in Portland who shaped and influenced her life, and were indeed influenced by her. They and her sons' boyhood friends were always a special part of her life. In her own words, she thought of longtime friends as "being like sisters," this having special significance since she was an only child. Later in life, her favorite home away from home became Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs, where she loved hosting her sons and their families over the years. She deeply missed her home and friends in Palm Springs when she was no longer able to travel there.
Leslie was a truly devoted mother. It was, without a doubt, a major component of her life. She always considered raising her sons her final career, and she was proud of it. (She had words to those who could not understand her admiration of being a homemaker.) But this dedication went beyond responsibility for Leslie. She often said she had always dreamed of raising a family, and surprisingly, having four boys did not dim that passion. She reveled in it, and that love, and real work, through thick and thin, (and there is always some "thin" in life), created a whole loving family when it could be said the odds were perhaps tough at times. Imagine a woman, an only child too, raising four sons, mostly on her own in the 1970's and 80's. If you can, then it makes sense to let a true Portland matriarch finish her own obituary, as she wrote it: (Of course she did.)
Leslie was born in Portland, the daughter of Kathryn Leslie Kerns and Stuart Maitland Canby of Chicago. Following Stuart Canby's untimely death, her mother married Donald Bradford of San Francisco, who adopted Leslie. Except for brief periods of time, Leslie was a lifetime Portland resident, as were her mother, grandparents, and great grandparents. Her great grandfather, John Kerns wrote a daily journal while coming to Oregon by covered wagon as a young man with his father in the mid 1800's. Leslie attended Ainsworth and Catlin schools and Stanford University, where she completed majors in sociology and education. In 1956, she and Samuel Wheeler were married at Trinity Episcopal Church (now Cathedral) by Bishop Benjamin Dagwell. Their first home was in Lebanon, Oregon while Sam was employed by Western Veneer and Plywood. During that time, their four sons were born. In 1965, the family returned to Portland, where Sam began his career with Willamette Industries. In the early 1970's Leslie and Sam divorced. Leslie remained involved with her children's activities and community volunteering. She was on the board of the Portland Junior League, president of the Lincoln High School PTA, and president of the Stanford Parents Club of Oregon. (As a young girl, Leslie had visited the Stanford campus, and fell in love with university and the hope of attending there. It did not disappoint, and her time there became part of her fondest memories.) Leslie enjoyed more than 50 years of membership in The Town Club, and was on it's board and served as president. She was a 50 year member of the Multnomah Athletic Club and a longtime member of the University Club. She became a new member of Waverly Country Club when she decided to take up golf around the age of 70.
Surviving family members include her sons, John, Charles "Chuck," Edward "Ted," and Thomas "Tom;" and grandchildren, Jack, Sarah, Coleman, Sam, Ruby, and Quinnlan. Her godsons were special to her as well, Andrew Rein, Jack Altstadt, Tom Stiewer, Jim Hall, and Donald Bunch.
Due to Covid circumstances, a decision was made to delay a memorial service in her honor until the Spring, the date to be determined soon.
Published in The Oregonian from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, 2020.
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