Leslie V. Garvey

Leslie Vining Scott Garvey was born on February 1, 1946, in London, Ontario, to Andrew and Doris (Stevens) Scott. She grew up in Toronto, but her heart belonged to Lake of Bays, in the Muskoka region, where the family spent summers and weekends.

A curious and adventurous spirit, Leslie left Canada in her twenties to backpack around Europe, eventually landing in Spain for a few years. Her journey later led her to Illinois, where she settled in Springfield and then Elkhart. It was there that she found her calling in nursing, earning her R.N. from Lincoln Land Community College. Leslie dedicated three decades to the care of others, serving for many years as an ICU nurse at St. John’s Hospital and later in cardiac rehab at Abraham Lincoln Hospital. Her day job often followed her home; she was known to use surgical tape to wrap all her gifts.

Upon retirement, Leslie moved to South Bend, Indiana, where she maintained a calendar so full that friends and family often struggled to find an open slot. She was a Silver Life Master in bridge, an enthusiastic golfer, and a welcoming face as a greeter at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. A lifelong traveler, she visited more than 30 countries and was perpetually planning her next departure. She had a profound love for the sun, new horizons, and cheese, though not necessarily in that order.

Leslie taught her three children that life is meant for discovery, that death can be beautiful, and that one should never be without snacks, dips, and lotions.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Mandy Scott. She is survived by her siblings: twin sister Barbara Scott (Vancouver, B.C.), Hollis McClaren (Pleasant Bay, N.S.), and Steven Scott (Kaslo, B.C.). Her legacy lives on through her children: Emily (Jeff Chrystler) Garvey of South Bend, Andrew (Laura) Garvey of South Bend, and Elizabeth (Tim) Russell of Marion, MA; her six beloved grandchildren, James, Tim, Isaiah, Lucy, Millie, and James; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Center for Hospice or a charity of your choice.

A visitation and prayer service will be held from 4:00-6:00pm EST on Friday, January 16, 2026 at McGann Hay Funeral Home, University Area Chapel, 2313 Edison Road, South Bend, Indiana 46615.

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