Leslie McDermott Obituary

Leslie Blyth McDermott CHARLESTON - Leslie Blyth McDermott passed into eternal life at her home on Friday, August 19, 2022. Her husband was with her at the time. Leslie died after a twelve-year fight with ovarian cancer. Her family is grateful to the GYN cancer team at Hollings Cancer Center for their dedicated care and support. We are also grateful to Roper Hospice for their support in her final days. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 AM Friday, August 26, 2022, at The Church of the Nativity, 1061 Folly Road. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road. The family will receive friends between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston. A Prayer Service will be held at 6:00 PM, during the visitation. Leslie was the eldest of six children born to Thomas and Ruby Blyth. She was born in Charleston on October 17, 1941, and spent her childhood and teen years in Charleston schools at St. John's School and Bishop England High School. Leslie won a four-year scholarship to Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore, and then returned to Charleston. She worked at IBM as the first female Systems Engineer in Charleston. She met her future husband, who was a Naval Officer stationed aboard a submarine, and they married on April 1, 1967. They were fortunate to have fifty-five happy years together surrounded by family they loved. Leslie is survived by her husband, Gene; their two grown children, Kathleen (Roddy Roediger) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Gene, Jr. (Bronwyn) of Newport, Rhode Island; and two teenage grandchildren, Alasdair and Nessa. She is also survived by three siblings, Stephen Blyth (Gayle) from Edisto Island, Catherine Lauzon (Gil) from James Island, and Denis Blyth (Marsha) from Mt. Pleasant; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Leslie was predeceased by two siblings: Thomas Blyth, Jr. (RaeAnn) and David Blyth. One of Leslie's favorite pastimes was camping... not the rustic type of camping, but the RV type of camping. When she was not camping, she was planning the next trip. She and her husband took their fifth-wheel RV north to the upper coastal shore of Maine and south to Key West. Leslie was also a passionate advocate for unborn children, and was very active in pro-life efforts in Charleston and the pro-life organization at Nativity Parish. Leslie was also active in other parish ministries, including the Ladies Guild and Bereavement Committee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund at the Church of the Nativity. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, (843) 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston