Solveig (Koch) Leslie

Solveig Leslie, born 10/9/1919, died on 3/30/2018 peacefully in her sleep at her home in Seal Rock, Oregon. She was surrounded by the loving care of her daughter Neena Goldberg and son in law Gary Burda.

Solveig was born in Bergen Norway; her parents Hugo and Paula Koch immigrated to New York in 1925. In Norwegian, Solveig means "pathway to the sun," and anyone who knew Solveig would agree that her name was most fitting -  she was a beam of light. In 1940 Solveig fell in love with Nat Leslie and began 64 years of a beautiful loving marriage. The foundation of their relationship, besides a bushel of love, was their love of the outdoors, hiking, canoeing & skiing.  Solveig was a life time member of The Nature Friends (a hiking club) which her parents had been associated with in Europe before immigating.

Follow WWII Nat and Solveig moved to North Hollywood, California  where they built a house together and raised their 2 daughters.  Solveig earned her teaching degree at Northridge University, graduating with honors. She also took every available art class, honoring her artist talent. Solveig was a fabulous teacher, bringing her passion of life to the classroom. The L.A school district rewarded her teaching abilities with a TV art show, the gifted classes, and she had the 1st outdoor school. Her students stayed in touch with her until she died.

In her retirement Solveig and Nat traveled extensively.  Traveling over 32 foreign countries and the US in their camper van. Solveig made friends everywhere she went, language never being a barrier.  Every summer they would go to Oregon were they had a trailer on their daughter's property in Hillsboro and later in Seal Rock.  Taking their grandchildren, Shira and Nate on endless adventures in the woods teaching them her love of nature.

After her beloved Nat died in 2004, Solveig moved to her daughter's house in Seal Rock Oregon permanently. She became involved in the Yaquina Art Assocation, painting blind until her death. At 98 and blind, she was still going to art and Meals on Wheels regularly. Her compassion for humanity, her love of mother earth, of living life full of passion, made Solveig a unique and interesting person. She is survived by her daughters Karin Leslie (Canada), Neena Goldberg and son in law Gary Burda of Seal Rock; her 4 grandchildren and 6 great grand children . She had a wonderful 98 years.
 

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