Obituary of Leslie Steere-Gamble

"Midge" Leslie Anne Steere-Gamble, born August 29, 1944 in Providence Rhode Island, Midge died on July 19, 2011 from complications related to pancreatic cancer in East Sandwich at the McCarthy Care Center operated by Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod. She is survived by her two sons, Adam Gamble, 43, of Dennis and Matthew Steven Gamble, 41, of South Yarmouth; by her two grandchildren, Katherine Miki Gamble, age 10, and Jack Hideo Gamble, age 7, both of Dennis; by her sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Donald Baker, Jr. of Dennis, and their children, Diana Ellis of South Dennis and Donald Baker III of Brewster; by her brother, William J. Steere of Dennis, and his children, Jay Steere of Virginia and Capt. Joseph Steere, currently in South Korea; also by her nephews, James T. Hughes III of Lorton, VA, Andrew J. Hughes of Sagamore, and Phillip Steere of Devon, PA; and by her daughter-in-law, Rachel Gamble of Orleans. Midge was the widow of George W. Gamble of Buffalo, NY. Midges life was dedicated to caring for others. She provided for and raised her two boys single-handedly and worked for many years as a special education teacher, case worker, and direct care worker for physically and developmentally challenged people, most recently for Community Connections, Inc. of South Yarmouth. She was admired for her sharp wit and sense of humor and was often referred to as a "hot ticket" by friends and acquaintances. During her life she volunteered for various organizations including the YWCA and Big Brother Big Sister Program in Buffalo NY. She also volunteered at the Noah Shelter in Hyannis. Midge had a BA in Biology from SUNY Albany. She was a voracious reader and had an unusually rich knowledge of a number of varied subjects, particularly gardening, glass, calligraphy, and medicine. She accumulated a unique collection of perfume bottles that included many thousands of individual scent containers. She was also an excellent cook. She died peacefully, and with notable grace and dignity, surrounded by friends and family. A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in the John Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Road(Rte 28), Marstons Mills, MA 02648. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Community Connections, Inc., 127 Whites Path, South Yarmouth, MA 02664.