Leslie Jean (Crawford) Ortiz, 65, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 4, 2026, at High Pointe Hospice House, after a long and difficult journey. She was surrounded by love and cared for with compassion and dignity during her final days.
Leslie was born on November 15, 1960, in Roanoke, Virginia, to the late William and Shirley (Ferguson) Crawford. As a young girl, Leslie moved with her parents and her siblings to Lawrence, Massachusetts, where she was raised and attended Lawrence Public Schools.
Leslie devoted her life to the people she loved most, her children, grandchildren, and her husband. She was a devoted wife and mother who spent the past 15 years lovingly caring for her husband through his illness and, most recently, through his heart transplant. Caring for the people she loved was simply who Leslie was. Her family was the center of her world, and she cherished the countless memories they shared together.
Leslie lived her life the best way she knew how, leaving this world a better place than she found it. While our hearts are broken by her loss, we find comfort in knowing that she is finally at peace and no longer suffering. It would be wrong to say that Leslie lost her battle with cancer, because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she became, Leslie remained determined, strong, and resilient. She faced every challenge with a strength that inspired everyone who knew her. Through Leslie, we learned what perseverance and resilience truly looks like. Even in her final days, she continued to show us just how incredibly strong she was. Leslie did not lose her fight. She fought until the very end. Her body may have grown tired, but her spirit never gave up. Her courage, strength, and determination will remain with us forever.
Leslie enjoyed the simple things that brought her happiness. She loved playing bingo, going to the casino, visiting with friends, cooking, taking walks on the beach, and, most of all, cheering on her beloved Kansas City Chiefs. She never missed a game and was proudly their number one fan.
Leslie is survived by her husband, Jesus Ortiz; her children, Emilio Crawford and his wife Gretchen, Elizabeth St. Hilaire and her husband Russell, Maritza Baez and her husband Jose, and Carlos Baez; and her grandchildren, Emilio Jr., Niriah, Jasper, Jayden, Jacqueline, Corey, Haleigh, Mathew, Alaysha, Brianna, Tamika, Destiny, Zuleika and Amayah. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Sophia and Josiah, who brought her immense joy.
She is also survived by her loving sisters, Patricia Abreu, Cynthia Crawford, Julie Crawford, Tammy Crawford, Wanda Liriano, and Michelle Silva; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends who were blessed to know and love her.
Leslie shared a particularly special bond with two of her nieces, Shirley Crawford and Alyssa Moronta, and with her two dear friends, Jeannie and Debbie, who held a special place in her heart.
She also leaves behind her beloved pets, Princess and Peanut who were treasured members of her family.
Leslie was predeceased by her loving parents, William and Shirley Crawford; her son, Joseph Rajotte; her sister, Robin Crawford; her brother, Larry Crawford; her nephews, Kevin Crawford, Angel Crawford, Scott Crawford, Eric Crawford, Nicholas Crawford and Larry Crawford; and her nieces, Angelina Dufresne and Melissa Lopez.
Leslie’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of High Pointe Hospice House for the kindness, compassion, and dignity they showed Leslie and her loved ones during her final days. Their care and support will never be forgotten.
All services will be private and held at the convenience of her family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leslie’s memory to:
Keno's Animal Sanctuary
17 Camp David Road
Wapwallopen, PA 18660
High Pointe House
360 North Avenue
Haverhill, MA 01830
In the end, Leslie's life was defined not by the illness that took her from us, but by the love she gave, the people she cared for, the strength she showed, and the memories she leaves behind.
She fought. She loved. She cared. She persevered. She never gave up.