Leslie Landis

Leslie Robotham Landis, 68, a resident of both Shippensburg, PA and Prospect Harbor, ME, died on the morning of May 7, 2014, at her home in Shippensburg.

She was born on January 21, 1946, in New York, NY, the daughter of the late R. Gordon and Elizabeth Blesser Robotham. Leslie graduated from Bishop Shanahan High School in West Chester, PA in 1964 and West Chester State College (West Chester University) in 1969 with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. She also did additional graduate work at Penn State University.

Upon completion of her education, Leslie began her teaching career at the Devon Elementary School in the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District, Berwyn, PA where she met her husband of 43 years. She took time off from teaching while raising her two children, but returned as a substitute teacher (K-12) for more than 25 years in the Line Mountain, Millersburg, and Shippensburg school districts. Leslie retired from teaching in 2004.

She was a past member of the Shippensburg Public Library Board of Directors, where she served one term as President. She also volunteered at the Dorcas Library in Prospect Harbor, ME.

Leslie loved everything about nature, especially bird watching in her backyard along the Middle Spring Creek in Shippensburg, along the coast of Maine from her cottage in Prospect Harbor and also in Acadia National Park. She enjoyed learning new crafts, while cooking and reading were favorite past times. Raising sheep was an interest that she acquired while “living the rural life.” She adored her two cats (Murphy and Kirby) who were wonderful companions during her illness. Leslie always enjoyed being with her family and many friends, but she was most passionate and grateful for the time she had with her grandchildren, Jane and Wyatt.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. David R. Landis; daughter, Nancy L. Dale and her husband, William; grandchildren, Jane E. and William Wyatt R. Dale of Harrisburg, PA; brother, Dr. R. Gordon Robotham and his wife Pamela of Beaufort, SC; niece, Rhett Robotham of Columbia, SC; brother-in-law, Dr. Stanley K. Landis and his wife Joanne Landis of Macungie, PA; John W. Landis and his wife Dr. Judith Maxwell of Philadelphia, PA; sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Settle and her husband Scott of Ephrata, PA; and Alberta D. Landis of Downingtown, PA.

In addition to her parents, Leslie was preceded in death by her son, David R. “Rob” Landis, Jr., who died on August 13, 1996.

Her memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Shippensburg. Rev. Barbara Hutchinson will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Leslie to the Shippensburg Public Library, Dorcas Library, or Hospice of Central PA.