Leslie Baldauf

Leslie, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home in Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday December 3, 2024.

Louise Leslie Baldauf was born in 1942 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to father Robert Raymond Smith and mother Louise Leslie Pace Smith. Of her eight brothers and sisters, she was preceded in death by Tom Smith, Christine Martin, and Greg Smith, and survived by Anne Phillips, Bob Smith, Karen Blockinger, Dick Smith and Debbie Hamilton. Leslie graduated from St. Justin’s High School in 1960. She worked as both a typewriting instructor and a doctor’s clerical assistant while also volunteering in Well-Baby clinicsuntil her marriage in 1964.

Leslie was the adored wife of Charles J. Baldauf, with whom she recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, and the mother of C. Douglas Baldauf (wife Christina), of Charlotte, and Karen B. Delaney (husband John), of Chesapeake City, Maryland. Grammy/Mimi was a grandmother of five; Grace Delaney, Sullivan Delaney, Henry Delaney, Ben Baldauf and Cate Baldauf. Leslie gave her whole heart to her family.

In addition to raising two children in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where she lived with Chuck from 1970 to 2008, she assisted in the operation of a full service car wash and managed their UHaul rental business. Later she assisted Chuck at auto auctions, purchasing cars for multiple area dealerships. Leslie volunteered in her children’s schools and for the Indiana Hospital, and most recently participated in Quilters for Christ as a member of Christ Lutheran church in Charlotte.

In all her activities, from parenting to volunteering, Leslie made a valiant effort to persevere. All that knew her appreciated her weekly struggles with Lupus and it’s related ailments. She pushed forward and, most notably, was always the consummate grandmother regardless of how she was feeling. 

Leslie and Chuck were members of the Indiana Country Club where they played golf. Leslie participated in the women’s 18 Holer’s group and earned the nickname name Boom-Boom by often winning longest drive awards. In Charlotte, Leslie continued to play golf at Raintree Country Club and also joined a women’s bowling league. In all activities she made great friends with whom she enjoyed spending time. 

The funeral service will be held on Saturday January 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM in Christ Chapel at Christ Lutheran Church, 4519 Providence Road, Charlotte. A reception will follow the service in the church’s lower commons. Donations in her honor can be made to the Lupus Foundation, http://support.lupus.org/goto/LeslieBaldauf