Obituary of Lezlie Jo Whitney
Lezlie Jo Whitney (48) resident of Lewiston, ID passed away at her home on March 29, 2024. She was born to Bill and Patsy (Shawver) Whitney on October 29, 1975, in Moscow, ID. The family moved to St. Maries in May of 1976. Lezlie was raised in St. Maries and attended school K-12 there. Growing up she was a fearless blue-eyed towhead that could put a smile on anyone’s face. She was a talented athlete playing softball and volleyball participating on a couple All-Star teams over the years. Her senior year she coached Senior Girls softball with one of her friends.
A social butterfly, Lezlie had many friends and enjoyed everything a kid growing up in North Idaho could experience. Aside from playing sports, she enjoyed hanging out with friends, taking adventures on small road trips, and spending time in the woods. She was adventurous, fearless, and stubbornly independent; also, a hard worker, she spent a couple of years working at Bud’s Drive Inn for extra money while in high school. Academics also came easy to Lezlie as she was extremely smart! She graduated from St. Maries High School with honors in 1994.
Following high school, Lezlie originally signed up for the Airforce, but changed her mind at the last minute and enrolled into North Idaho College. She and some friends moved to an apartment complex in Coeur d’ Alene, and she went to work at Burger King. Tragically, Lezlie was in a car accident that changed her plans and future forever. However, with her strength, determination, and therapy in Seattle, she was able to return home where she later enrolled into North Idaho College again. Later realizing she wasn’t that interested in obtaining a college degree anymore, she moved with her mother to Potlatch, ID and later settled down permanently in Lewiston, ID. Lezlie still enjoyed socializing and hanging out with friends, but her true joy was watching and cheering on the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners.
Lezlie is survived by her parents Bill and Mary Whitney of Rathdrum, ID and Patsy Shawver-Bowser of Clarkston, WA; grandmother Helen Whitney, sisters Kellie and Paul Tomlinson of Klamath Falls, OR, Bobbi Jo and DJ. Maefau of Livingston, MT (and her new nephew Wesley due in May 2024 that she was so excited to meet), Kelsey Blair of Palouse, WA, Cortney and Jerry Crane of Post Falls, ID, Angie and Johnny Flowers and Garrett and Amber Bowser all of St. Maries, ID; numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Gordon Whitney and Dewey and Nona Shawver.
A Memorial Service will be on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries, ID.
