Leslie K. Smith

Long time Anchorage resident Leslie K. Smith, 51, received her Heavenly Wings as she passed away on March 07, 2026. She was surrounded by her children, family, and long-term caregivers, in Eagle River, Alaska. She fought an incredible and courageous battle with ALS for the past 9 years, and she always said the love she had for her children is what always kept her going.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 01, 2026, at Legacy Heritage Chapel at Angelus, 440 E. Klatt Road in Anchorage starting at 2:00 pm.

Leslie was born November 14, 1974, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Richard and Shirley Smith. Leslie grew up in Eagle River and the Anchorage area. She graduated from Dimond high school in 1993 and studied at UAA. She started work at Alaska Airlines in 1996 and utilized her experience of logistics coordination to move into a CSR position in the Alaska Oil & Gas industry in 2002. Leslie worked for Furie Alaska at the time of her diagnosis with ALS in 2017.

Leslie was a devoted mother and enjoyed vacationing to her favorite places (Hawaii and Rome) with her family and close friends. She loved to travel, spend time with her children & family, enjoyed hosting and attending parties, camping, and planning vacations. Leslie had a love for life and a personality that lit the room up when she walked in. She cared about people's feelings and was always the first one to walk over to someone she didn't know and make them feel welcome. Her laughter was contagious, and even after she could no longer speak, her beautiful brown eyes would sparkle and gaze upon you and you knew how much love she had for you. Leslie could have a conversation with her loved ones with one simple look.

Her family wrote, "Leslie's Love for her family along with her generosity and kind heart were an inspiration to her friends and family. She captured the heart of all who met her and lived her life to the fullest. Leslie was the strongest person we have ever known as she lived through the horrific disease of ALS. She had a wicked sense of humor, and always brought a smile to her many caregivers, doctors, nurses, and all of her medical team these last 5 years. We are grateful to her entire care team for the love and care they put into Leslie."

She is survived by her five children Alex Degraffenreid (Theresa), Riley & Makena Smith (twin daughters), Katelynn Quintana (Jenoi and 3 grandchildren) and Kyle Smith. Parents Richard Smith (Alice), Shirley Smith, Sisters Lynn Wiggins (Dan), Laurie Abold (Mike), Lisa Winzenburg (Clint), her nieces Joslyn Cascio, Haley Provinsal, Kirsten Morrow, Danielle Pond, and Jaydin Miller. Many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Extended Family.

Words cannot express the love, generosity, and care provided to Leslie from Steve and Sandra Lambert, her primary caregivers, over the last 2 years. They opened their home and life to care for her and Leslie, and our family will always be forever grateful and indebted to you both.

Per Leslie's wishes, her remains will be scattered in a private family ceremony by just her children at a later date.

Memorial donations in Leslie's honor for her children can be sent to: Lisa Winzenburg, PO Box 230842, Anchorage, AK 99523.

Floral donations may be delivered to the Chapel after 10:00 am on the day of the service.