Obituary of Leslie Ann Jaiven

On Friday, June 25, 2021, Leslie Ann Jaiven of Newington CT, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend passed away at age 66.

Leslie was born September 13, 1954 in Stamford CT to Dorothy (Zelinsky) and the late Leon Jaiven. She was a 1972 graduate of Rippowam High School, obtained her BA in Mathematics from Clark University (Worcester MA), and earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Connecticut. At Clark she excelled in softball, basketball, and field hockey. She remains the only woman to win Clark’s Fred C. Hebert Trophy Award presented to the senior making a significant contribution to the intercollegiate athletic program. She joined Traveler’s Insurance where she had a successful career in IT until her retirement in 2019. She had especially fond memories of organizing the holiday pizza parties at Traveler’s.

Leslie lived to bring joy to her many college and work friends, and to her family. She especially cherished her nieces and nephew:  Rebecca Jaiven and her husband, Evan Daigle (Greenville SC), Matthew Jaiven (Miami FL), and Hannah Jaiven and her fiance, Alex Petry (Hamilton MI). Her passion was international travel and she maintained a collection of souvenir spoons from her global visits. She was a proud “cat lady” who adored her feline family. She continued playing recreational softball and golf on various teams in the area. She was a former President of the The Traveler’s Employee Club.

Leslie was preceded in death by her father, Leon. She is survived by her mother, Dorothy, her brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Kathy Jaiven (Holland MI), and numerous cousins as well as Rebecca, Matthew, and Hannah.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 4:00pm at the Agudath Sholom Cemetery, 554 West Hill Road, Stamford CT where she will be interred next to her father. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or Clark University.  Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home 104 Myrtle Ave Stamford, Ct (203)-359-9999.  To send condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com