In Memory Of
Edith Fleming Lessenden Chandler
1922
2013
Edith Fleming Lessenden Chandler
January 21, 1922 — June 14, 2013
Edith Fleming Lessenden Chandler, 91, died Friday, June 14, 2013.
The daughter of Arthur Milo and Edith Hambleton Fleming, Edith was born and raised in Garden City, Kansas. She attended The University of Kansas, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She graduated in 1946, with degrees in education and speech and drama. She was a member of Mortar Board, Pi Lambda Theta, and Pi Epsilon Delta, honorary societies. In 1952, she received a Masters Degree in speech and drama from The University of Kansas.
She married Chester M. Lessenden, M.D. in 1943. The couple came to Topeka in 1953, when Dr. Lessenden established a medical practice in Dermatology. They raised four children.
Edith was President of the Shawnee County Medical Society Alliance, the Kansas Medical Society Alliance, and served eleven years on the national AMA Alliance board.
At the request of Topeka Symphony Conductor, Everett Fetter, Edith chaired the planning committee which culminated in the founding of The Symphony League in 1968. After serving as the League's first president, she became writer/editor of Allegro, the Symphony's newsletter, a position she held for fifteen years. In 1984, she received the Charles Marling Award of Distinction for outstanding achievement on behalf of the Symphony.
Edith was President of the Topeka Branch of the National League of American Pen Women Inc. and organized the group's Kansas State Association.
Edith was very active in the PEO Sisterhood for over fifty years, having served twice as president of Chapter AJ and president of the Topeka PEO Cooperative Board.
Edith was also a member of several local organizations, including Minerva Club, Western Sorosis, and AAUW.
She was known in Topeka and the surrounding area for her original monologues, which she performed in costume, and for her award-winning short stories.
Dr. and Mrs. Lessenden celebrated 56 years of marriage before his death on May 4, 1999.
Edith Lessenden and Anderson W. Chandler were married in 2000.
Edith Lessenden Chandler is survived by her husband, Anderson Chandler, Topeka; three children: Sandra L. Ghent, Oakland, CA; Marged L. Amend, M.D., Emporia, KS; Eve L. Supica, Fairfax, VA; thirteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Jon B. Fleming, Mineral Point, WI.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, 6th and Topeka Blvd., Topeka. Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka, is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Topeka Symphony Endowment Fund, 2100 SE 29th, Topeka, KS 66605; Program for Continuing Education, PEO Sisterhood, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312-2899; or to First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66603.
The daughter of Arthur Milo and Edith Hambleton Fleming, Edith was born and raised in Garden City, Kansas. She attended The University of Kansas, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She graduated in 1946, with degrees in education and speech and drama. She was a member of Mortar Board, Pi Lambda Theta, and Pi Epsilon Delta, honorary societies. In 1952, she received a Masters Degree in speech and drama from The University of Kansas.
She married Chester M. Lessenden, M.D. in 1943. The couple came to Topeka in 1953, when Dr. Lessenden established a medical practice in Dermatology. They raised four children.
Edith was President of the Shawnee County Medical Society Alliance, the Kansas Medical Society Alliance, and served eleven years on the national AMA Alliance board.
At the request of Topeka Symphony Conductor, Everett Fetter, Edith chaired the planning committee which culminated in the founding of The Symphony League in 1968. After serving as the League's first president, she became writer/editor of Allegro, the Symphony's newsletter, a position she held for fifteen years. In 1984, she received the Charles Marling Award of Distinction for outstanding achievement on behalf of the Symphony.
Edith was President of the Topeka Branch of the National League of American Pen Women Inc. and organized the group's Kansas State Association.
Edith was very active in the PEO Sisterhood for over fifty years, having served twice as president of Chapter AJ and president of the Topeka PEO Cooperative Board.
Edith was also a member of several local organizations, including Minerva Club, Western Sorosis, and AAUW.
She was known in Topeka and the surrounding area for her original monologues, which she performed in costume, and for her award-winning short stories.
Dr. and Mrs. Lessenden celebrated 56 years of marriage before his death on May 4, 1999.
Edith Lessenden and Anderson W. Chandler were married in 2000.
Edith Lessenden Chandler is survived by her husband, Anderson Chandler, Topeka; three children: Sandra L. Ghent, Oakland, CA; Marged L. Amend, M.D., Emporia, KS; Eve L. Supica, Fairfax, VA; thirteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Jon B. Fleming, Mineral Point, WI.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, 6th and Topeka Blvd., Topeka. Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka, is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Topeka Symphony Endowment Fund, 2100 SE 29th, Topeka, KS 66605; Program for Continuing Education, PEO Sisterhood, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312-2899; or to First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66603.
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Service Schedule
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Memorial Service
Monday, June 24, 2013
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
First United Methodist Church
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