Leslie MANN

1958 - 2018

MANN, Leslie Joy Leslie Joy Mann, 59, of Loxahatchee, died peacefully at home on February 8, 2018. She was born in Englewood, NJ on September 21, 1958, and grew up in a loving family in Oradell, NJ, and, after a move south in 1972, Royal Palm Beach, FL. Leslie graduated from Twin Lakes High School, attended Florida State University and Palm Beach Junior College, and earned a B.A. in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University. Leslie had an illustrious career in public service, and a side career as an animal rights activist. She began her political life on County Commissioner Dennis Koehler's Congressional campaign; was an assistant to Nancy Pelosi at the Democratic National Committee and a delegate at the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco; was a regional ombudsman for Governor Mario Cuomo in New York; worked for the North Carolina Department of Information Services; and was Public Relations Coordinator for the Broward County Department of Children and Families. Leslie had held positions with the Victory School in Miami, the Palm Beach Coalition for the Homeless, NuVista Living at Wellington Green, and the Hippocrates Health Institute. In her second vocation her true calling Leslie founded two animal rescue organizations: Whiskers in Troy, NY, and Independent Animal Rescue in Hillsborough, NC. Leslie successfully spearheaded a campaign to establish the Florida Animal Friend license plate, raising money for spay/neuter efforts across the state. Leslie was married for 10 years to Ayhan Celik. She had no children, but through her life cared for many canine and feline children, including Eli, Emma, Nicholas, Raja, Teddy, Tigress, and Tyler. She was a loving daughter, caring sister, and doting aunt. She is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Flora Weissman Mann of blessed memory; and survived by her father Jay Mann of Loxahatchee; brothers Barry Stewart Mann and David Mann, sisters-in-law Sheri Mann Stewart and Tara Mann, niece Rachel Mann, and nephews Ethan, Tendal, and Royce Mann, all of Atlanta, GA; and her last menagerie: canines Chrissy, Kaija, and Rosie, and felines Adam, Joshua, Leo, Lucy, and Penelope. Online condolences may be offered at www.starofdavidfunerals.com. Memorial Services will be held Sunday, February 18, 2018 at 12 Noon at I.J. MORRIS AT STAR OF DAVID CEMETERY OF THE PALM BEACHES, 9321 Memorial Park Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33073, (561) 627-2277. Donations can be made in Leslie's honor to Independent Animal Rescue in Durham, NC (www.animalrescue.net), Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves (www.bdrr.org).