Virginia Frances Leese (née Feuerstein), born June 11, 1937, in Baltimore, Maryland, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, January 25, 2026. She was the fourth of ten children and grew up in a lively, close-knit household filled with love, faith, and the constant companionship of brothers and sisters. From an early age, Virginia learned the values of hard work, sharing, and caring for others, helping in a busy home where family always came first. These early years shaped her gentle spirit, deep sense of responsibility, and nurturing heart.

Virginia graduated from Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School in June of 1956. On August 12, 1956, she married the love of her life, Niles Eugene Leese, beginning a marriage that would span 60 devoted years. In her own words, Virginia once said, “I thank the Lord God for the man He put in my life. He has clothed me, fed me, at times comforted me, and advised me.”

Together, Virginia and Niles raised four sons: Keith, Kenneth, Steven, and Timothy. She was a deeply devoted wife and mother whose home was always filled with warmth, faith, laughter, and the comforting smell of a good meal. Though she worked various jobs throughout her life, she was especially proud of her time managing the cafeteria at EPA / NIEHS, where she served others with the same care and kindness she showed her own family. She also enjoyed cutting hair and baking birthday cakes for family and friends, often earning a little extra spending money while bringing joy to others. Gardening was a cherished hobby, and she took great pride in caring for her vegetables and plants.

Virginia dearly loved her extended family and treasured trips back to Maryland for reunions and gatherings. Christmas celebrations were always special to her, and summers spent in Nags Head with her brothers and sisters created memories that will be cherished forever.

A true disciple of Jesus Christ, Virginia was a faithful and active member of Christus Victus Lutheran Church. She loved singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and supporting the ministries of CVLC. Her faith was the center of her life and the foundation of all she did.

Known to her sons’ friends as a kind and loving second mother, Virginia never let anyone leave her home hungry. Her gentle spirit, generous heart, and welcoming smile made everyone feel at home.

Virginia found great joy in being “Mom Mom” to her 12 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, whom she adored and in whom she delighted throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Niles; her son, Keith; her sisters, Janet and Joan; and her brother, Frank.

She is survived by her sons and their spouses, Kenneth and Jane, Steven and Kim, and Timothy and Dahlia; her brothers and their spouses, John and Janet, Philip and Gloria, and Stanley and Sandra; her sisters and their spouses, Rose, Ruth and Travis, and Loraine; her grandchildren and their spouses, Sarah Johnson and Mike Doble, Dylan Leese, Christopher Leese, Nathan and Katie Leese, Patrick Leese, Haley Leese, Ihsan Yuksel, Brooke Leese and Isaac Durrant, Trent Yuksel, Eryn Leese, Cihan Yuksel, and Tony Yuksel; her great-granddaughter, Penelope Leese; and many loving extended family members and friends. Her immediate family members and their extended families reside in North Carolina, while her extended brother and sister family members are located in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, love, service, and devotion to family that will continue to live on in all who were blessed to know and love her.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Hudson Funeral Home, 211 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, NC 27703.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Christus Victor Lutheran Church, 1615 NC 54, Durham, NC 27713. Interment will follow at 1:30 P.M. at Woodlawn Memorial Park, NC. Pastor Ben Krey will officiate.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Dylan Leese, Christopher Leese, Nathan Leese, Patrick Leese, Cihan Yuksel, Tony Yuksel and Sean Sweeney.

Donations can be made online in Mrs. Leese's memory to Christus Victor Lutheran Church by selecting the GENERAL FUND option.

OR BY MAIL

Payee
Christus Victor Lutheran Church

Memo Line to indicate "Virginia Leese" 

Checks to be mailed to: 1615 E NC Hwy 54 Durham NC 27713