Leslye L. Carson, a retired bookkeeper who had also been a college bookstore manager, died Sunday of complications from a stroke at Genesis Perring Parkway. She was 88.
The daughter of Paul S. LeFaivre, superintendent of The Baltimore Sun pressroom, and Dorothy LeFaivre, a homemaker, Leslye LeFaivre was born in Baltimore and raised on Radnor Avenue in Govans.
She was a 1946 graduate of Eastern High School. After her marriage a few years later, the family moved to a home on Radnor Road.
She raised four children, then in 1969 began working at what is now Loyola University Maryland, managing the school bookstore. She held that position until going to work in 1974 as a bookkeeper for Nyborg's, an art supplies store.
She retired in 1980.
Mrs. Carson later moved to Kirkwood House on Loch Raven Boulevard. She enjoyed organizing and leading more than a 100 bus trips for residents to crab feasts, shopping excursions and casinos, family members said.
The matriarch of a large family, Mrs. Carson had been nicknamed "the Big Cheese" by one of her grandsons, family members said.
Mrs. Carson financially supported many organizations, including St. Jude's Hospital, St. Labre Indian School, Southwest Indian Children, Mission Up, United Service Organization, National Association to Protect Children, Disabled Veterans and the Salvation Army.
She had been a member of Gregory Memorial Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home, York and Overbook roads, Rodgers Forge.
She is survived by two sons, Wayne Carson of Baltimore and Scott Carson of Fairfield Glade, Tenn.; two daughters, Toni Hiteshew of Catonsville and Terri Forand of Towson; a sister, Joan LeFaivre of Rodgers Forge; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Her marriage to Earl Carson ended in divorce.
—Frederick N. Rasmussen