Leslie was born the oldest of three children on September 2, 1957, in Junction City, Kansas. She went to school in Junction City through the seventh grade. Then she moved to Manhattan, Kansas to finish middle school and complete high school. Leslie graduated from Manhattan High School in 1975. After, she attended Kansas State University for two years pursuing a degree in Architecture Engineering. Growing up in the country, Leslie loved her pets from her Shetland ponies, cats, especially her Siamese cats, dogs, and was particularly fond of the time she had her alligator companion. In her teenage years, she enjoyed spending time with her best friends while her sister tagged along. She was passionate about music and loved to dance. She also enjoyed roller skating and water skiing.
Leslie was married to her high school sweetheart on May 21, 1977. She met Theodore E. Ayon (Ted), both at the age of 16 years old. Once married she discontinued her college studies and moved to Germany where he was stationed. After the Germany tour, they moved to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where she was an apartment complex manager. When her husband completed his service they moved to El Paso, Texas to be with her family. There their two children were born, Theodore Jr and Tessie. While in Texas Leslie worked as a pharmacy clerk and sold real estate. Moving back to Manhattan, she was employed for a brief time at McDonalds until she started working for KK&E as a tax mapper and then Schwab and Eaton where she became the head cartographer. Leslie ended her working career as a delivery driver with UPS, retiring after 21 years at the age of 52.
In addition to her career, Leslie was a member of the Society of Women Engineers while attending K-State, the president of the Non-Commissioned Officers, Enlisted Men Wives Club in Germany, and a member of the association of Texas Realtors. During her time at UPS, she was proud to be the head of the Safety Committee, where she was recognized with an award for the Safety Co-Chair of the year. Leslie enjoyed conversation, a skill she surely picked up from the many years in high school working as a grocery checker. She loved to do crafty and decorative things, including helping to plan many weddings and celebrations. She cherished house gatherings, family get together, and family and friend visitors, especially in her home she drew up the plans for and designed. She was delighted in cooking for others and maintaining her pool. From time to time, she was persuaded to go on travels with her family, husband, and getaways with her girls. Leslie appreciated her coworkers and friends she met along the way. Especially “her boys at UPS”. She would do anything for and to see the people she loved. Leslie was an unbelievably devoted wife and mother, very kind, caring, and stern person. She leaves behind quite a few dear friends, as she touched many lives, all good. Above all else Leslie’s greatest accomplishments were being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband of 47 years Theodore Edward Ayon (Ted); Her son, Theodore Edward Ayon Jr. (TJ), and her daughter Tessie Jolene Riffel and husband Drew Riffel; and their 2 children Taylor Jean Ayon Riffel, and Delaney Jo Riffel. She is also survived by her brother Gregory ‘Bud’ Elliott, his wife Vicky Elliott, and her three nephews: Stephen Elliott, Matthew Huff, and Josh Huff along with their wives and children, and her many extended family members and friends. Leslie was preceded in death by her father, Lester L. Elliott; Mother, Margret Josephine ‘Jo’ Elliott, and Sister, Kelly Jolene Elliott who she is once again reunited with in heaven. You will find her when you look up, as she will be watching over all from above in the clouds, until we meet again.
Leslie passed May 31, at the age of 66, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas, from heart failure resulting from her struggle from her cancer treatments. She will be cremated and have a celebration of life gathering at her home, 4121 McDowell Creek Road, Manhattan, KS July 5, 2024.
Please direct any memorial donations to The Crisis Center Inc. in Manhattan, Kansas as Leslie was passionate about empowering women. She felt it was important to support and provide wisdom to her daughter, granddaughters, and the next generation to be strong, independent women, who know they can do anything.