Leslie Cloyes Laverghetta

Durango resident Leslie Cloyes LaVerghetta died of ovarian cancer at her home on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009.She was 66. Mrs. LaVerghetta was born to Ruby Shorter and Frank Crandall Cloyes in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., on March 7, 1942. She grew up in Valhalla, N.Y., and graduated from Briar Cliff High School in 1960. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1965. In 1963, she married Lyle Ellis Crumpler in Marion, S.C. While her husband attended dental school at the University of North Carolina, Mrs. LaVerghetta worked nights as a nurse while caring for their two young sons during the day. The Crumplers moved to Charlotte, N.C., where her husband did a one-year dental internship, and then to Rocky Mount, N.C., where her husband established a dental practice. After seven years in Rocky Mount, her husband joined the Army and the family was stationed at Kitzengen, Germany, for several years. They enjoyed being overseas, learned to ski and toured Europe. The marriage later ended in divorce. After their divorce, Mrs. LaVerghetta moved to Fairfax, Va., to be near her family, and worked for 20 years as a public health nurse for Fairfax County. On May 18, 1986, she married Michael Joseph LaVerghetta in Burke, Va. They continued to live in northern Virginia until their retirement in April 1997, when they moved to Durango. In Durango Mrs. LaVerghetta made a number of friends, with whom she enjoyed traveling, skiing, hiking, bicycling and sharing meals. She was an avid bridge player. Mrs. LaVerghetta particularly enjoyed identifying wildflowers and birds on her hikes around Durango. She volunteered for a number of activities including the Manna Soup Kitchen. Mrs. LaVerghetta was active at First Presbyterian Church of Durango, where she sang in the choir. She was also a member of P.E.O. Chapter FX, Durango Friends of the Arts, the Durango Arts Center, the American Association of University Women, the Happy Hookers Book Club and a founding member of the Durango Biker Babes. Mrs. LaVerghetta is survived by her husband of 22 years, Michael Joseph LaVerghetta, of Durango; sons David Cloyes Crumpler of San Antonio and Wyatt Lyle Crumpler of Coppell, Texas; stepchildren Dawn Stejbach of Leesburg, Va., and Greg Michael LaVerghetta of Charlotte, N.C.; sister, Olivia Cloyes Palmer of Purcellville, Va.; brother, Frank Crandall Cloyes Jr. of Charleston, S.C.; eight grandchildren; and three nieces and two nephews. A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, March 7, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church of Durango. The Rev. William Mangrum will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of First Presbyterian Church of Durango, 1159 East Third Ave., Durango, CO 81301; the American Cancer Society, 1800 East Third Ave., Suite 142, Durango, CO 81301; or Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado St., Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301.