Leslee Morabito

I just received word that Leslee Morabito died yesterday at her home in Trinidad, California. She was recovering from breast cancer when, suddenly, after the holidays, her condition worsened and she was gone. She died surrounded by her adoring husband, son, and pets.

For those of you who may not remember Leslee, she was a steady presence and office support for Nancy Bush, the first and only full-time, paid Secretary of the International Association For Near-Death Studies (IANDS), when it was located in the Psychology Department of the University of Connecticut, in Storrs. I met Leslee on my first trip to this hallowed place back in 1981, the year I began writing the column "Coming Back" at the behest of Kenneth Ring. The column was published in "Vital Signs" magazine - what became a five-year run. We bonded immediately and have remained good friends throughout the years since. We shared a hotel room at an IANDS conference not too long ago, a stay I treasure because it enabled me to re-establish old ties and enjoy again this incredible woman - a spunky, loving, honest and very real angel come to earth. When you meet someone like this, you don't forget them. And I can never forget Leslee. Thank you, dear one, for blessing me with your presence, your joy, and the sound of your voice as you told your stories and laughed. – PMH