Gillette, Leslie FARE THEE WELL Leslie Gillette Ph.D. age 75 1/2, formerly Leslie Faricy, Ph.D., left this life, reluctantly, on March 24th, 2018. Leslie's parents were Mary Werner Gillette and Leslie Walter Gillette. Leslie was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 20, 1942. She is survived by her two daughters, Shaun Faricy and Erin Price, Erin's husband Steve Price, her son Zach Faricy, grandchildren Sam, Katie, Hannah, and Danny, her partner and step dad of the three children for 38 years, Michael J. Shea, Ph.D., many close friends, her psychotherapy patients, and her beloved stick shift, blue, PT Cruiser. Leslie was truly one of a kind. She was a loving, clear and appropriately firm parent. "If the three of you are not mad at me at least once a day, I am not doing my job". Leslie was incredibly bright and intuitive, creative and able to use her intellect in her life, in her artistic pursuits, and in her work with patients. She was a cook extraordinaire among a close group of excellent cooks. She was an imaginative graphic and conceptual artist, a photographer with a wonderful eye, and a skilled writer. Her humor and how she utilized it was amazing. She was a pioneer in the areas of child protection and teaching healthy sexuality at the University of Minnesota and elsewhere. Leslie was an amazing psychotherapist regarding her knowledge and understanding of complex difficulties and family systems, and could translate that knowledge into effective and caring treatment of the adults, adolescents, children and families with whom she worked. She was direct and tough and caring, knowing that her patients needed to hear the straight story. Many terms and phrases describe her aptly: thoughtful and loving friend to her friends, intrepid traveller who especially loved San Francisco, California and Santa Fe, New Mexico, music lover of jazz, rock and classical, flea market and dollar store maven, fan of women's soccer, Vikings football, and the Minnesota Loons Soccer Club, flower and plant nurturer, good neighbor and block party planner, feminist, committed progressive political person. Her extensive rubber stamp collection was a part of her work as an amazing mail art artiste. She was a huge fan of Yoda, and an enthusiastic follower of the Grateful Dead and their music, "If I knew the way, I would take you home". An organ donor who encouraged this commitment, Leslie was a highly spiritual person, a follower of the teachings of Buddha. The home and the outside area are filled with beautiful and meaningful Buddhist images. She was also a proud Unitarian. She was a former field hockey champ, and a lover of wind surfing. Leslie was the silver ring queen, and a cuddler par excellence. One could not be more fortunate than to have Leslie as a parent, a friend, a psychotherapist, a professional practice partner, a person to love and be loved by. Her beautiful eyes said it all. Recently, one of Leslie's psychotherapy patients described her as "wise and kind and funny with a depth of compassion and understanding that is absolutely rare". That is our Leslie. As a part of her retirement, Leslie planned to volunteer time to hold babies who need holding, at Children's Hospital or elsewhere. Leslie was gifted with boundless energy which is now freed to spread and to return to the universe. At her request, there will not be a traditional funeral. Rather, as Spring blossoms, there will be a celebration of her amazing life on one of those sunny, warm days which she loved so much. Leslie was a generous contributor to good causes, always on the right side of history. In lieu of flowers, as much as she loved them, donations are suggested to your choice of the causes and groups which need them and will use them wisely. Gone way too soon. Here in our hearts forever.

Published on April 15, 2018