Leslie E. Chambers

ALLEGANY — Leslie E. Chambers, a resident of Field of Dreams, and a former resident of Olean, passed away Sunday (Sept. 13, 2026) at Cuba Memorial Hospital.

Born March 20, 1943, in Buffalo, she was the daughter of Leslie Eugene and Mary Catherine Crowley Chambers.

Leslie graduated from Mount Saint Mary Academy in Kenmore, and studied for her undergraduate degree at Marquette University, a Jesuit school located in Milwaukee, Wis. She then received a master’s in education degree from Saint Bonaventure University.

She enjoyed travel and experienced advancing her studies in Switzerland. Leslie began her teaching career as a remedial math teacher for the Buffalo City Public School System, grade 7 through 8. She then taught for the School of Education at the University of Buffalo.

Leslie moved to Olean and began her career as a professor in the School of Education at St. Bonaventure University. She taught and supervised hundreds of pre-service teachers and accompanied many on service trips to the Bahamas, where they served in the island’s schools. Though retiring from the University in 2011, she continued to work for a time as an adjunct helping students better understand and design technology for their careers in education. She was highly regarded by her students and colleagues.

Leslie was a member of Saint Bonaventure Church in Allegany.

She enjoyed spending time knitting and doing needlework and donated many of her afghans and lap blankets to charities and nursing homes. Her adventurous spirit led her to earning a pilot’s license where she would take short trips and she once traveled to Europe for a two-month stay. One of her most favorite places she travelled to was Iceland to see the aurora borealis.

Leslie was a member of Beta Epsilon of the Delta Kappa Gamma education sorority where she served as president and created the sorority’s website.

She leaves behind a brother, Brian E. (Rebecca) Chambers of London, Ohio; and cousins, Marcia Aeppli of Dillsburg, Pa. and Edward Myers of Bend, Ore.; along with many friends who loved her dearly.

A memorial mass is being scheduled and will be announced.

Memorials in Leslie’s memory may be made to Operation Warm Hearts, Inc. P.O. Box 933, Olean, NY 14760; or a charity of the donors choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig and Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.