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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 send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Friday, July 18, 2025
Starts at 2:00 pm (Pacific time)
Trinity Life Center
Celebration of Life
Friday, July 18, 2025
Home of Troy Goings
Following Service at Trinity Life Center
Guestbook
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