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LAND--Leslie, 66, of Cushing, ME, and Pleasant Valley, NY, died August 10 due to complications from metastatic breast cancer. Champion of country cooking, ambitious gardener, and, in her own words, "the latest in a long line of garden advisers that stretches back, approximately, to Adam, who we can be sure was frequently asked about the niceties of apple culture." In her syndicated "Good Food" column, four books, scores of magazine articles, and 400 Garden Q&A columns for the New York Times, Leslie wrote about food and gardening with wit and authority. She cooked at Chez Panisse in the early 1970s, then decamped for rural Maine where she built a new life as a writer. Leslie published two cookbooks, "Reading Between the Recipes" and "The Modern Country Cook," was an editor at Yankee magazine, and co-wrote "The 3,000 Mile Garden," which became a PBS series. She also edited "1000 Gardening Questions and Answers," based on the New York Times column. Leslie leaves her husband, Bill Bakaitis, daughter Celia, granddaughter Ursula, sister Claudia, brother David, a niece, two nephews, and countless friends she inspired to love gardening, good food, and life.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I knew Leslie as a fellow boarding student at Kingswood School, where my roommates and I lived across the hall from her and spent endless hours laughing with and listening to her. She was our oracle. After graduation we all went our separate ways and pouf! I never saw her again. It wasn't until one Sunday when I opened the New York Times Magazine and saw a large photo of a sumptuous garden party in Maine - the house, the garden and the food all Leslie"s creations - that I knew what had become of her. I regret not calling her immediately. She never knew that even all those years later, she was one of my favorite people.
Morley Thomson Bland
School
August 10, 2023
Working with Leslie at Women's Day, her knowledge about food and her widsom about people made it memorable. Every time I see a wild mushroom sprouting up, I think of Leslie with fondness and apppeciation.
Dana Jacobi
Work
August 10, 2021
Leslie was funny and always interesting.
As an adult, she had a wonderful blog, a number of books. I wish we had kept in touch after Kingswood, as it turned out we were so near each other.
Frances Fredericks Ferriss
Classmate
August 11, 2020
Just adding to my remembrance of Leslie. A year ago I was looking for a recipe, and found that one of my old cookbooks had been written by her! Still remembering her magnificent garden.
Shirley Warren
Acquaintance
August 10, 2020
My condolences and prayers. I only met Leslie once or twice. She was lovely, knowledgeable and truly an inspiration.
JJ Murphy
August 25, 2013
Leslie, I was shocked and saddened to learn of your passing. So many fond memories of our dining and sharing wonderful times in Camden and Cushing. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Holly Bernstein
August 24, 2013
I was so sad to learn of Leslie's death. I met her only once, but what a vibrant, charming lady she was, and oh, what a magnificent garden she kept!
Shirley Warren
August 24, 2013
Oh, Leslie! You will be forever young in my fond memories of our years at Kingswood. Now I have lost both Craigy and you - but I hope your joyful spirits are together again and laughing.
Margee Denton Rossetto (Grafton, Wisconsin)
Margee Rossetto
August 23, 2013
One of the most inspiring, generous, and mighty women in my life; someone who taught me how to dare to do things. I'll remember her for many reasons, not the least of which was her exquisite dahlia collection.
Kristina King
August 20, 2013
I remember Leslie on a float for the Cushing Day parade many years ago. It was a hoot!
Joan Martin
August 20, 2013
So sad to learn this news... Leslie was an email and blogging buddy and oh the wonderful advice she gave.
Vee Ess
August 16, 2013
I will always remember Leslie, brown eyes sparkling, surrounded by the delicious chaos of her Cushing garden.
Bon voyage, blyth spirit!
Elizabeth O'Haverty
August 15, 2013
I knew Leslie only through The 3000 mile garden and through her blog, but I felt a sharp sense of loss when I heard of her death on the morning news. Her charm, wit, and knowledge of plants and food will all be missed. My condolences to all her loved ones.
Jean Potuchek
August 14, 2013
We first met Leslie in 1974 when we purchased a small house in Cushing next to a good friend and patron of hers. We often enjoyed the fruits of her wonderful catering, including a most amazing birthday cake, chocolate of course!
Wendy Makins
August 13, 2013
Your wisdom, talent, great writing and humor will live on. You are missed and I am grateful to have known and been influenced by you. Lisa Ekus
Lisa Ekus
August 13, 2013
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
J B
August 13, 2013
Leslie, under your guidance at First For Women magazine, I learned so much. Particularly about standing up for quality work and supporting others. You are missed and will long be remembered.
Dana Jacobi
August 13, 2013
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