With deep sadness, the family of Esther Robles Leslie announces her passing on Nov. 29, 2025.
Esther, affectionately known as “Miss Esther,” was born on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on Nov. 18, 1939, to the late Alanzo and Idalia Robles.
Esther attended elementary through high school in St. Thomas, and married Vivian C. Leslie on July 6, 1960, a journey that would last for 65 years as they set about raising four children: Alton, Warren, Linda, and Segrid.
Esther was a lifelong, loyal, devoted, and faithful member of The Cathedral Church of All Saints. She attended the 6:30 a.m. mass every single Sunday, up until her health started to decline. Vivian, her husband, would joke, “If Miss Esther don’t come to church on a Sunday, then church can’t keep.” All Saints meant everything to her. She grew up in the church, she was married in the church, and all of her children were christened and confirmed in the church. She celebrated anniversaries, and she mourned family deaths in the church. And in keeping with her role of service, she served on the Hospitality Committee for many years.
Esther was quiet, gentle, compassionate, peaceful, spiritual, and loyal to her family and friends. She had a great love of music and a beautiful singing voice. Her record collection was diverse and included releases by Shirley Caesar, Andre Crouch, The Righteous Brothers, Otis Redding, and Jon Lucien.
Esther was an excellent cook known for her delicious potato stuffing. Her one indulgence was her “stories,” specifically All My Children.
Esther was passionate about working with and teaching children and started her career with the Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Head Start Program in 1968. She spent the last 21 years with the Department as a Paraprofessional Teacher’s Aide at Mandahl Peace Corps Elementary School (now the Yvonne E. Milliner Bowsky Elementary School). Her area of specialization was Special Education.
God put Esther on Earth to be an advocate and champion for children with disabilities and special needs. When others shunned these little ones, she embraced them. When parents couldn’t afford to provide snacks or clothes, Esther dipped into her own pocketbook to ensure they didn’t go without. When children without physical or intellectual challenges ridiculed or bullied her students, she stood up for them. Esther also became proficient in American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with the hearing impaired.
She loved her students, encouraged their potential, and treated them as though they were her own children. Years after she retired, Miss Esther’s students still recognized and embraced her while she was out and about.
Esther’s long goodbye began in 2020 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Although her journey was filled with challenges and pain, there were also many quiet moments of reflection, love, and caring.
During her illness, Esther taught our family lessons about what is really important in life—to love God and all He has created. She helped us discover inner strengths we did not know we possessed.
Although many memories faded as Esther’s illness progressed, the words to the Lord’s Prayer and her faith in God endured. She passed as she lived: quietly, having fulfilled her purpose.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Alanzo and Idalia Robles, her brother Herbert Robles Sr, and her son, Alton Leslie.
She is survived by her husband, Vivian C. Leslie, her sister, Lydia Robles Douglas, her son, Warren Leslie, and her daughters, Linda Leslie McGhee and Segrid Leslie.
Grandchildren: Andre Henley, Shaniqua Henley-Vanterpool, Shamari Henley, Sr, Jamie McGhee, Jaria McGhee
Great-grandchildren: Kamari Underwood, Aaysia Henley, Ayinde Vanterpool, Akushi Vanterpool, Jubilee Vanterpool, Kairo Henley, Shamari Henley Jr, Jazariah Henley
Great-great-great-grandchildren: Andreas Underwood, Giavanna Underwood
Brothers-in-law: LeRoy Douglas, Albion “Bobby” Hodge, Melvin Hodge, Irad Donovan
Sisters-in-law: Bernice Robles, Vera Dupuis, Daisy Hodge, Yvonne Hodge
Son-in-law: James McGhee Jr, MD
Grand Son-in-law: Alton Vanterpool
Nieces: Lorie Douglas, Alecia Robles, Carmen Robles-Inman (Taiwo), Clevia “Reds” Robles, Diana Robles (deceased), Lydia Robles, Gloria Robles, Doris Robles, Ina Parker, Michelle Stevens
Nephews: Leon Douglas, Herbert Robles Jr, Donald Robles, Bernard Robles, Patrick Donovan
Great Nieces: Amber Robles Gordon (and family), Juanita Francis (and family), Kreisha Charles (and family), Chequida Robles, Cherida Robles
Great Nephews: Dufferin Culpepper II (and family), Alanzo Robles Gordon (and family), Jaime Francis Jr (and family), Kashawn Robles
Special Cousins: June VanHolten, Grace Christiansen
Godchildren: Sonia Hodge, Roland Gordon, Jr, Robert Gregory
Special Extended Family: Ronnie Bonelli, Calvin Bryan (and family), Loriel Henley, Lyra Hodge, Lorna Callwood, Bernadette Fleming, Veronica James, Doradean Williams, Vilma Benn, Juliet Berg, Janet Hazelwood, The Robles Family, The Christiansen Family (St. Croix), the late Allen Hodge Family, The Mahogany Estate Family, The Yvonne Rhymer Family, The Cathedral Church of All Saints Family, Former Staff of Leslie’s Deli Restaurant, Former Staff and Students of Mandahl Peace Corps Elementary School, Jacklin Rogers, Verna Callwood and the Staff at Wesley Methodist Soup Kitchen Ministry, and The Cathedral Church of All Saints Steward Helping Committee, Sheila Freeman, Grace Gregory and Family.
Many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the first viewing on Friday, Dec. 12 at Celestial Chapel of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. The second viewing will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, at All Saints Cathedral, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. with service to follow at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Western Cemetery #1.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Centers of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. For online condolences or to share a special memory, visit www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com.
