Leslie Anne Waite Crabbs passed away peacefully into the arms of God on September 12, 2024, after a fierce battle with cancer.
A joyful and generous spirit, connector and collector of people, Leslie made the world a better place with a brave heart, grace, and blazing energy for family, friends, and service to others.
Born in Washington D.C. on May 31, 1961, and raised in Falls Church City, Virginia, Leslie was the beloved daughter of former Falls Church City clerk Elizabeth Anne Shawen and the late Charles A. “Chuck” Waite. She is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas Crabbs; son, Andrew (Sarah); daughter, Reilly; and adored grandson, Benjamin, to whom she was known as “Nabby.” Leslie also leaves her loving sisters Jill Waite Goldberg (Michael), Denise Wade (Dan), Suzie Fouche (Rick), Stephanie Garnett (Scott); her stepmother, Carol Waite (Jerry); stepfather, Neil Shawen; in-laws, Edward and Mary Crabbs, Anne Bear (David), Kathleen Crabbs (Craig), and John Crabbs; and many nieces and nephews who were touched by her warmth.
A George Mason High School alumnus, she went on to graduate from the University of Virginia in 1983. Her upbringing and education fired a boundless curiosity, and a deep passion for fellowship and service. At UVA she earned economics and sociology degrees and joined Delta Gamma Sorority embracing sisterhood and the motto “Do Good,” which she shared with abandon her life through.
In 1987, she met the love of her life, Tom. A whirlwind romance led to marriage 20 months later, and they set off to Hawaii for the first chapter of a wondrous 35-year marriage. Leslie was an accomplished and rising economist and consultant in 1993 when they took orders to Italy. The spontaneous, less complicated La Dolce Vita captured her heart. Returning stateside, expectant with Andrew, she chose to place family, faith, and community first. Reilly arrived 22 months later. Forgoing paychecks, the next 20 years brought riches beyond compare. Leslie showered her children and Tom with adventuresome love that combined mystery, magic, and Crabbs faith. She was thrilled to greet grandson Ben and imprint him with Nabby spirit. After seeing Andrew and Reilly through a military childhood, she gratefully resumed work as a corporate event planner helping connect people the world over.
A military spouse, Leslie led her local communities with gusto. Her watchwords were “all in” and her mantra was “here I am, Lord.” With duty stations from coast to coast and overseas, she built foundations for lasting change that continue to grow today. Notable among many was the creation of a food bank in San Francisco that has served thousands for 25 years. In Key West, she rallied the local community and founded Sigsbee Charter School (K-5). As President, she helped lay the foundation for an innovative culture and curriculum to meet the unique needs of over 200 military children. Sigsbee has since grown to K-8 with over 500 military and local community children enrolled. It is a perennial Florida “A” rated school and School of Excellence. Along their journey, Tom dubbed her “Leslie Appleseed,” crediting her good works as the reason they were called to 30 years of transient Coast Guard service.
Landing in Richmond, Virginia following the Coast Guard, Leslie joined Coming Together Virginia, an organization dedicated to bridging racial divides to enable thriving, equitable, and just communities. The opportunity brought enlightenment, passion, and friendships that she championed and cherished. She is a member of the 2022 Leadership Metro Richmond – Leadership Quest cohort and was co-recipient of the 2023 Leader Who Serves award. Her advice: “Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Listen with your heart and be bold… bring others along with you.”
Leslie’s love language was quality time. She invested in others, made them feel valued, shared joy completely, and was a lot of fun. She loved fall, tailgating, and college football – in that order; kept score at baseball games and snuck sauerkraut into the park; she was the March Maddest. She laughed hard and danced with abandon; loved conversation with coffee and nearly completed the full Richmond coffee shop crawl; sang the “12 Days of Christmas” (complete with hand gestures) and “American Pie” by heart; never missed a line dance and kept all her bridesmaid dresses. She costumed for every Halloween and was always tiara-ready. She kept the beer cooler full. Her wine country excursions are legendary. Book club and Bible study fortified her. She was a great travel companion. Being in nature was her preferred place, views from a well-pitched tent were among her favorites. She stopped to smell the flowers and was a friend of the bees.
Leslie taught us to live, laugh, and love out loud. We will pay that forward.
A celebratory memorial service, followed directly by fellowship, will be held at the Hippodrome in Richmond, VA on Friday, October 25, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at 528 N. 2nd St., Richmond, VA 23219. For details and updates visit tinyurl.com/FCNP1024lw.
Please wear bright colors in celebration of a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Coming Together Virginia: comingtogethervirginia.org/donate.
