Leslie Ann Zillman
March 19th, 1946 - October 9th, 2023
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Leslie's Obituary
Leslie Ann Zillman (1946-2023) was born on March 19, 1946 in South Haven, Michigan to Leslie Zillman, Sr., and Jane (Erkenbeck) Zillman. She graduated from South Haven High School in 1964 and continued her education at Lake Michigan College and Grand Valley State University, eventually earning her Masters in Social Work from Wayne State University.
While going to school, Leslie took on various jobs, including stints as a short order cook, a rural mail carrier and a worker at a chicken slaughter house. She also travelled quite a bit, including trips to Colorado, Alaska, Florida, Ireland, and South Korea.
Leslie served as a social worker for than 30 years in inner city Detroit. During that time, she worked with Michigan Senator Debbie Stabinow on domestic violence legislation. She also took a writing course at Stillpoint Buddhist Temple in Detroit. She became interested in Buddhism, and studied for a number of years, eventually being ordained a Buddhist Monk.
Upon retirement, Leslie moved back to Southwest Michigan and lived in her family’s home on Silver Lake in Grand Junction. She was one of three people who started a meditation/centering prayer group in South Haven, which continues to be active now, thirteen years later. In February of this year, Leslie moved to Laurel Oaks Assisted Living Facility in South Haven, where she resided with her two beloved cats, Theodore and Zane Grey. She ended her earthly journey on October 9, 2023.
Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do at www.heritage-chapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heritage Chapel & Cremation Services, 8747 US 31, Berrien Springs, MI 269-471-2700.
While going to school, Leslie took on various jobs, including stints as a short order cook, a rural mail carrier and a worker at a chicken slaughter house. She also travelled quite a bit, including trips to Colorado, Alaska, Florida, Ireland, and South Korea.
Leslie served as a social worker for than 30 years in inner city Detroit. During that time, she worked with Michigan Senator Debbie Stabinow on domestic violence legislation. She also took a writing course at Stillpoint Buddhist Temple in Detroit. She became interested in Buddhism, and studied for a number of years, eventually being ordained a Buddhist Monk.
Upon retirement, Leslie moved back to Southwest Michigan and lived in her family’s home on Silver Lake in Grand Junction. She was one of three people who started a meditation/centering prayer group in South Haven, which continues to be active now, thirteen years later. In February of this year, Leslie moved to Laurel Oaks Assisted Living Facility in South Haven, where she resided with her two beloved cats, Theodore and Zane Grey. She ended her earthly journey on October 9, 2023.
Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do at www.heritage-chapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heritage Chapel & Cremation Services, 8747 US 31, Berrien Springs, MI 269-471-2700.
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