Leslie A. Croft

Leslie Ann (Lauvray) Croft, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, Teacher and friend died peacefully on June 5, 2023, achieving victory over a 9-year battle with cancer.

Leslie was a loving and compassionate person who loved to laugh, was funny and vivacious. She had the most beautiful smile that would light up your soul and if you were fortunate to be present when she gazed upon her children and grandchildren, or a student who “got it”, the pure joy radiating from her would blind you. She would joke that her solution to a tough day in the classroom was a bottle of wine and a straw! She enjoyed antiquing and cooking with her husband and felt a sense of kinship with birds thinking they may be the spirit of those who have previously lived.

She was born on February 18, 1971, in Coshocton to William J. Lauvray and Linda (Mullett) Lauvray Scott who survive. She graduated from River View High School in 1989 and from Rio Grande University in 1992 with a BA in Elementary Education. On July 10, 1993, she married Whitney J. Croft who survives, and together they raised three amazing children. Along with seeing that their children were successful in college she herself returned to earn her Master’s Degree in 2021.

Leslie’s service as an educator encompassed 30 years at Sacred Heart, River View Local, Tri Valley Local and Coshocton City School Districts.  During that time, she earned numerous honors from her peers.  Among those honors, in 2022 she was honored as Region 9 Teacher of the Year and was a finalist in the top ten for Ohio Teacher of the Year Honors.

She was tireless as a mentor, speaker and advocate for Cancer patients. She was invited and testified before the Ohio House of Representatives to help pass a bill ensuring that insurance companies be held accountable for paying for MRI Imaging for early diagnosis of breast cancer.  She used this experience to serve as an example to her students (always teaching) that they not be afraid to express themselves.

She was a member of Blue Star Mothers, OTA and CCES. She attended Keene United Methodist Church, and Clark Community Presbyterian Church where she was a member.

In addition to her spouse, she is survived by children, Darby (Nathanal) Smith, Caden (Chelsea) Croft and Cowen Croft; grandchildren Emberley and Charles Smith; brothers-in-law Neil (Debbie) Croft, Wesley (Lisa) Croft, Ward Croft and sister-in-law Mary (Rick) Darr, special Aunt Bonni (David) Marshall, other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Leslie was preceded in death by her grandparents, Earl and Jean (Tish) Mullett, George and Margaret (Lowery) Lauvray, stepfather Thomas Scott and In-laws William and Evangelene (Croup) Croft and Wade Croft.

An Open House, Celebration of Life for Leslie will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Coshocton Village Inn and Suites, 115 N. Water St., Coshocton; all are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the Leslie A. Croft Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Coshocton Foundation, P. O. Box 55, Coshocton, Ohio 43812.

The family is grateful to the staff at Coshocton City Schools for their positive and loving support during her illness. Also for the understanding and compassion of management at MFM Building Products.