Leslie Buckingham-Denslow

Leslie Lynn Buckingham Denslow, 44-years-old, passed away on Monday, October 1, 2015 at her home in Pleasant Hill, Missouri following a 5-year battle with breast cancer.

Leslie was born in Tacoma, Washington on July 15, 1971. She graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1989 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 1993. She earned a Master's Degree in Art History from the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 1998.

Leslie was a senior instructor at Park University for 16 years, teaching a variety of courses in art history, architecture and interior design. She pioneered on-line learning for the Department of Art and Design by developing and designing courses for non-resident students. Leslie also coordinated and led university study abroad programs in Greece and Italy.

Leslie served as an adjunct instructor for the Department of Art History at the Kansas City Art Institute, and also for the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Missouri - Kansas City, where she also worked as a research associate in Architectural Studies.

Leslie was a consultant and appraiser of fine art and antiquities and was an independent contractor for the Nelson-Adkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.

In keeping with Leslie's passion for academia, her body has been donated for medical research, and she continues to teach the lesson.

Leslie has been a life long member of Grace Family Fellowship (formerly Pleasant Hill First Baptist Church) and served as a member of the worship team.

With a zest for life, Leslie loved to sing, dance, read, travel, and visit with family and friends. She was easy to talk to, and was known for her contagious smile and entertaining sense of humor. As a Godly woman Leslie maintained a sweet demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of love and faith. Her signature gifts of joy and worship were shown through her singing, smiling and laughter.

Surviving family members include... Husband Brian of Pleasant Hill

2 sons - Jon David and Braiden Daniel of the home

Mother Teri Melvin and stepfather Jon of Pleasant Hill

Father David Buckingham and stepmother Sarah of Pleasant Hill

Brother Paul Buckingham and family of Pleasant Hill

Stepsister Stephanie Bleyenberg and family of Oak Grove

Stepbrother Scott Rapps and family of North Kansas City

Stepbrother Chris Melvin of Pleasant Hill

Grandmother Jennie Bowman of Pleasant Hill

Mother-in-law Cheryl Denslow of Kansas City

Sister-in-law Lori Karp and family of Lilburn, Georgia

... ..and other family members including aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family wants to acknowledge Kansas City Hospice and thanks them for ministering to both Leslie and her family. Kansas City Hospice was a shining light in dark days. Their mission of expert care, peace of mind, comfort, guidance and hope was accomplished.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support in many forms, and from too many people to name individually. In addition to this support, Leslie's unwavering faith in God and strong desire to live carried her through her challenging final years. Leslie's memory will be carried on in the legacy of love that she left with each of us, and in the lives she touched.

A celebration of Leslie's life was held Sunday, October 4, 2015, at the Grace Family Fellowship, Pleasant Hill. Pastor Phil Kassle, Reverend Wyatt Shanks, and Dr. Steve Carpenter officiated. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to KC Hospice or the Grace Family Fellowship and may be sent in care of the funeral home.