Lesley J. Brennan

Lesley J. Brennan, 73, of Richmond, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on March 17, 2024, after battling cancer for almost 17 years. Lesley was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1950 as the third child of Joseph and Evelyn Willis. She will be remembered as a loving wife, sister, aunt and lifelong friend to many and will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband Michael Brennan of Richmond, Texas, her brother Alan Willis and his wife Eileen of Santa Clarita, California, her uncle Victor Willis of Beverly, Massachusetts, and her niece Gayla Bartlett, and grandniece Michaela Bartlett of Danvers, Massachusetts. In-laws include Sheila Hansen, her husband Reid and daughter Julie: Maureen Cormier, her husband Dennis and children Timothy, Christopher, and Laura: Mary Carroll, her husband John and children Bryan, Rachel, and Ben(deceased), and brother-in-law, Jimmy Brennan (deceased).

She spent the early years of her life as part of a U.S Army family and moved frequently with her parents, older sister Donna, and older brother Alan to Beale Air Force Base, Edwards Air Force Base, and Fort Ord in California as well as to Kaiserslautern, Germany, and Etain, France. Her parents finally settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, where she attended junior high school and graduated from Lynn English High School in 1968.

After retiring from the Army, Lesley’s father worked for S&H Green Stamps; and, upon graduating from high school, Lesley received a full, four-year scholarship to Westfield State College awarded to children of S&H employees. She graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and began her first teaching job at Horace Mann followed quickly by her favorite, Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem, Massachusetts. While teaching at Witchcraft Heights, she received her Master’s in Education at Salem State College.

Lesley moved in with her parents in Lynn after college, met Michael Brennan of Salem, Massachusetts, and they were married on October 13, 1973. In 1981 Lesley and Michael moved to Houston where Michael was a Geologist for Esso Exploration and Lesley taught 2nd Grade in the Talented and Gifted programs to several generations of students at Windsor Village, Askew, and Condit Elementary Schools.

Lesley loved Michael, her husband for over 50 years, the dogs they raised, reading, doing Sudoku puzzles, playing card games like Hearts and Michigan Rummy, dressing up and attending Oscar Night parties with her friends, ushering at the Houston Ballet, line dancing, going to Schlitterbahn Water Park every year, reunions with the Owlettes (her classmates from Westfield State), and showing friends and family around Texas.

Lesley’s family would like to extend their warm appreciation to White Orchard Hospice, especially Susan, Nicole, and Valenthia, for the kindness and professionalism they extended to Lesley.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Houston Humane Society or the SPCA, Shriners, St. Jude or the charity of your choice. To honor Lesley’s life, a Memorial Service will be held on April17 at 11:00 am at Del Webb Sweetgrass Lakehouse 707 Del Webb Blvd, Richmond, Texas 77469. April 17th would have been Lesley’s 74th birthday.