1953
Leslie
2025
Leslie Rachelle Craig-Goings
November 29, 1953 — July 2, 2025
- Surrounded by her family on July 02, 2025, our beloved Leslie left our physical
- world in peace. In her life, she was known by many names; “Leslie,” to her husband Tom, her
- friends, and her colleagues, “Shelly,” to her closest family, and, “Tia,” to her niece and nephews.
- Her favorite names, though, were, “Mommy, Mom, and Mama,” as given to her by her three
- boys in various stages of their lives.
- Our Leslie was born on November 29,1953 to Shirley Diana Orozco and William Craig
- in Port Hueneme, California. She was preceded in rest by her parents, and her husband of 41
- years, Thomas Troy Goings. Leslie is survived by her three sons, William Troy, Gary Alexander,
- and Christopher Alan, along with her two sisters, Melisa and Aida, her six grandchildren,
- Liliana, Hayley, Ayriana, Camden, Ameliya, and Thomas, and also her nephews and niece,
- Guillermo, Gabriel, and Xochitl.
- Leslie spent most of her childhood in Mexico City before moving back to California, and
- then to Billings, Montana, graduating from Billings West High School in 1972. Her first
- language was Spanish, and she loved to surprise an unsuspecting person who had no clue she
- was fluent. Although she lived out her adult life in Sacramento, Mexico was always home to
- her heart. Leslie brought back with her a deep knowledge of Mexican culture, the Spanish
- language, and the cuisine. (Oh, the food that Mama used to make!) She felt so blessed to be
- able to return to visit family and friends in recent years.
- In 1973, Leslie married her lifelong love, Thomas, and built a wonderful life and family
- together. She began her community work in the mid-80s with Yolo County, and shortly
- thereafter, began her work in Sacramento with WEAVE as a pioneer in Domestic Abuse
- Counseling. A true pursuer of knowledge, and never satisfied with simply, “not knowing,” she
- continued her education at Sacramento State and earned two Master’s Degrees: one in Social
- Work, and the other, a Master of Arts in Spanish, all while advancing her career full-time and
- raising a family. We are so proud of our Leslie, our Shelly, our Mama.
- Leslie lived by what she preached. And she lived a peaceful life because of it. She knew
- that problems can always be solved, and love is stronger than any other force. She had an
- unmistakable laugh that sometimes she couldn’t control, even driving everyone in the room to
- tears laughing with her. She opened her home to anyone who needed a bed, a couch, or a meal.
- In fact, she housed at least three of her sons’ friends at some point or another, never asking for
- anything in return. If she had the chance, she would have loved to hug everyone in the world.
- Leslie gave. She was calm and nurturing. She was the light and the love in our lives.
- Her kindness, compassion, acceptance, and understanding were a guide for her family, and an
- example to follow for everyone that was lucky enough to feel her love in their lives. Leslie was
- love. We live and love in your light, our sweet Leslie, our Shelly, our Tia, our Mama.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leslie Rachelle Craig-Goings, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Upcoming Services
Memorial Service
Trinity Life Center
Celebration of Life
Home of Troy Goings
Following Service at Trinity Life Center
Guestbook
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