August 9, 1969 – April 27, 2026
There Once was a Girl
by Randy Pearson
There once was a girl
Who had cute chubby cheeks
And curly golden locks
And she was happy
There once was a girl
Who met the challenges of youth and traveled through the depths of despair
And always came out better for it in the end
And drew on those experiences to reach for the stars and new heights
There once was a girl
Who grew through hard times
And followed her passion
And learned
There once was a girl
Who was beautiful
And the song birds sang at her behest
And all of nature’s creatures gathered in her presence
There once was a girl
Who met a prince
And they fell in love
And they made a family and built a life together
There once was a girl
Who was proud
Confidently happy in the accomplishments of her cubs
And content in the love of family and home
There once was a girl
Who was brave
And she faced the dragons
And she stared them down and made them small
There once was a girl
Who was strong
And she lifted up others with her kindness and care
And she endured
In the vastness of the universe and time
Some exhaust themselves searching for the wonder of why
Never appreciating the uniqueness that it was just because
There once was a girl
We are saddened to announce that Lesa RaShelle Pearson passed peacefully in her sleep with her family at her side late Monday night, April 27, 2026, from glioblastoma (brain cancer). She was 56 years old.
Lesa was very thankful for the care and support she received since her diagnosis in September 2024. She will always be remembered for her generous smile, kind heart, curly blonde hair, love and devotion to her husband, son, daughter, flowers and animals. While she had a career in the financial industry, she was a trained geologist with a degree from the University of Utah – and was famous for pointing out the “funky unconformities” in the rock formations in her travels. She was valiant to the end setting the example for not just those facing this savage illness, but for all.
Celebration of Lesa’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Lesa’s memory to your local Humane Society, food bank or hospice. The ones that we have worked with are:
– Humane Society of the Pike’s Peak Region – https://www.hsppr.org/donate/
– Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado – https://careandshare.org/give/donate/
– Pike’s Peak Hospice and Palliative Care – https://pikespeakhospice.org/give
Thank you,
Randy, Jesse and Holly
My heart and soul go out to you in this most difficult of times.
I’m so sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful person and friend.
Beautiful tribute. Keeping you and the family in my thoughts and sending love your way.
My heart is broken to hear that our sweet girl has passed. All my love to her family♥️♥️♥️
It is a new day it had been raining all night. We can’t help but to think that those were the tears being shed for the loss of the most beautiful girl we’ ll ever know. . You were a joy to us and all that knew you. You will be missed and loved forever..
My dearest Randy,
So sorry for your loss. Sending you love, hugs and my most sincere condolences. 💛🌹
Randy,
I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you & the children. You are in my thoughts & prayers. 🙏🙏
I am sad that we have lost this wonderful mother and wife. I am happy to have known her. I saw the influence and positivity she brought to her husband, her children, and those around her. She will live forever in our hearts.
So sorry Randy, Jesse and Holy. Carmen and I are glad that we met in Salt Lake during our High School Reunion. May Lesa rest in peace
🙏🙏
Extraordinarily touching and heartfelt remembrance by Randy of a wonderful individual, loving wife and attentive mother who enriched the lives of all whom she engaged with a sweet smile and light-hearted banter. Lesa will be sorely missed, but assuredly live on in the lives and memories of those she touched.
Beautiful words for a beautiful life, wife, mother, and rock
Sincere condolences to you and your family, Randy. I will be praying for you. May Lesa’s name be a blessing.
Lifting your family up in prayer during this time of loss. May the peace of Christ and the promise of eternal life bring you comfort and strength. Holding you close in faith and remembrance.
Our heartfelt condolences. Thinking of you during these tough times. Ben, Selene, and Mateo Gochman-Moreno
🖤 Condolences to you all: Randy, Jesse, and Holly. Sending love and strength. There was once a girl who never needed attention or recognition—yet somehow, she made such a quiet impact on everyone around her. It was her gentle touch, her calm voice. It was in the quiet ways: the way she listened, the way she understood, the way she cared. Lesa had this incredible gift of loving people without conditions. You didn’t have to earn it—it was just who she was. If we can carry even a small piece of Lesa’s humility and love forward in how we treat each other, then a part of her will always be here. I’ll miss you, my friend. I hope you are resting now in a beautiful, quiet place, free from pain – just peace, the kind you gave to so many of us.
My deepest condolences to you, Randy, Jesse, and Holly. Lesa was an angel on earth and now in heaven watching over you all. She will be missed and thought of often.
Randy, what a wonderful poem. We’re thinking of your family.
She truly has been and always will be the best mother of all time. I could not put into words how much I miss her. She was always and always will be my strongest supporter and I could never have gotten to where I am had it not been for her guidance, support, and encouragement. I am so sorry that she did not get to see my sister grow up and start her life; she was a gift to everybody who had the privilege of knowing her and her absence is felt by everybody whose lives she touched.
Randy,
I am so sorry to you and your kids. Sending you love,