Mrs. Leslie Galarza Herman

Leslie “Lily” Galarza Herman age 54, of Sykesville, Maryland passed away at 1:00am on Wednesday April 13, 2016 at home surrounded by her loved ones. Her strong will to live, her devoted husband and the love and prayers from family and friends carried her through a courageous 2 1/2 year battle with Cancer. Leslie was born in Elizabeth New Jersey on April 8, 1962 to Juan Galarza Gonzalez and Concepción Fresse Velazquez and grew up in Utuado, Puerto Rico. Leslie receiver her BA from Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana on Jan 1, 1995 and her Graduate (MS) degree from Hawaii Pacific University, Oahu Hawaii on Jan 1, 1998. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from both Universities. Leslie met the love of her life in Augusta, Georgia in 1987 and was married on June 1, 1991. Leslie traveled the world as a Military dependent from 1978 to 2002. Living in Georgia, Texas, Germany, Indiana, and Hawaii. Her hobbies included traveling, hiking, camping, fishing, crabbing, and crocheting. She most enjoyed her quiet times in her cabin in Warsaw Missouri with her family. Her influence will remain in all who knew her. Leslie was preceded in death by her Parents, Sister Evelyn Galarza and Brother-in-law Miguel Negron all of Utuado, PR Leslie retired from the Social Security Administration HQ, Baltimore MD. During her tenure with SSA, she performed numerous jobs positions from bilingual Claims representative, Analyst, Team leader and Supervisor. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished by her husband James of Sykesville MD, Daughter Leann (Chad) Stewart Louisville KY, Stepson Joshua Herman Denver CO, Stepdaughter Hollee (Eric) Denver CO; 10 grandchildren; Brother Daniel (Carmen Fresse) Galarza Utuado PR. Sisters, Elizabeth Galarza Hoboken NJ, Magali (Amibael) Velez Hoboken NJ, Marlen (Fernando) Rivera Augusta Ga, Nancy Badillo Rincon Ga; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. A special thanks to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and Gilchrist Hospices Center for their kindness, wonderful care and compassion through this difficult time. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 6 to 8pm at the Haight Funeral; Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD where a funeral service will be held at 10am Saturday, April 16, 2016. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Leslie may be directed to support Cancer Research at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, PO Box 17029 Baltimore, MD 21297-1029 or Gilchrist Hospice Care 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350 Hunt Valley, MD 21031.

Mrs. Leslie Galarza Herman

April 8, 1962 - April 13, 2016