Leslie Smith Wasson

Beloved Oklahoma entrepreneur Leslie Wasson passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Leslie had an intellectual curiosity, deeply loved her friends and family, traveled the world seeking new experiences, enjoyed good cuisine, treasured animals, and always lived in the thick of fun. Leslie was a loyal and inclusive friend, an astute businesswoman having a great "eye" when it came to what design factors were cool and new and had the vision and drive to carry through. She was both fierce when passionate about something, yet tender when friends needed warmth. Leslie had a vision of what she wanted out of life and worked hard to achieve it.

She and her wife, Teresa Moinette, traveled the world extensively, tasting wine in Spain, riding elephants in Thailand, smoking cigars in Cuba, riding camels in the Sahara Desert, dancing the tango in Argentina, and toasting New Year's in Dubai. These memories count as part of the countless other experiences in a 30-year partnership. Leslie and Teresa celebrated marriage on January 8, 2014, many years after meeting one another at the Painted Desert in 1993.

And, oh the stories that could be told about trips, activities and birthday dinners with her beloved and madcap Mahjong group.

Leslie was innovative in purchasing rental properties before others thought to do so and was much respected as a keen business mind. Leslie's Painted Desert was the place to be for many years with people stopping her at random places to recall their love of her restaurant. Prior to the Painted Desert she was a partner in the widely known catering group "A Moveable Feast" where her love for good food gave her a venue to expand her passion for all things culinary.

Leslie was born in Dearborn, Michigan on April 8, 1945, to Leslie Clyde Smith Jr, and Marion Lathrop Smith, and grew up in Bedford, Indiana. She is survived by her wife, Teresa Moinette, brother-in-law David A. Moinette, his wife Kim, niece Lily, nephews Matthew and Thomas, father-in-law David L. Moinette, sister Julie Favorite of Rogers, Arkansas, nieces Taylor Favorite Lowell and Sydney Favorite Followill. Leslie came to Oklahoma to attend OU where she earned a degree in Fashion, she continued her studies at OCU and graduated with a master's degree in education.

A special thank you to Teresa Jaramillo, Linda Carpenter, Tanya Turner, Bev Smith and Ashley Jackson who were so helpful in Leslie's last months of illness.

A memorial service to honor Leslie will be held at Smith Kernke North May on Thursday, November 30, at 3:00 pm