1926 – 2015

AUBURN — Lesley passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Born Aug. 3, 1926, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Leslie L. and Kitty (Niehaus) Penn, she graduated from Eagle Rock High School and attended Occidental College, joining the Alpha sorority before transferring to the University of Southern California, where she joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

At USC, she met her future husband William L. “Bill” Rudolph, an SAE. They graduated together in 1949 with degrees in architecture, married and immediately sailed for England, spending the next several years living, studying and traveling throughout Europe in 26 countries.

After returning to the U.S. and establishing their architectural practice, they continued to travel extensively for business and pleasure until Bill’s death in 1981. They had one daughter, Seri, their pride and joy.

Lesley and Bill were avid USC football fans and attended all home games together. After Bill’s death, Lesley continued to enjoy the games in person and later on TV.

In 1982, Lesley became a volunteer instructor at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor, teaching children’s classes and serving on the Volunteers’ Board of Directors for more than 20 years until retiring.

Lesley loved her home on the oceanfront in Three Arch Bay, Laguna Beach, that she and Bill designed and built together. She especially enjoyed her daily walks on the beach and entertaining at home.

Through the years, she kept in touch with her many friends and associates from Oxy, USC, Alpha Chi Omega, the USC football bus, the Ocean Institute and elsewhere. She loved entertaining them at home and attending brunches, dinners and other events with her various groups each month, as well as Seniors’ Bus Trips to performances, musicals and exhibits.

Some of Lesley’s happiest times were her visits with her family on their farm in Maine: snowbound at Christmas, fun at the camp on Little Wilson Pond each summer, and experiencing the wonderful world of animals with her grandchildren. She loved animals and each visit was a learning adventure providing her favorite anecdotes and memories of shared fun with family.

In 2012, she moved to Schooner Estates in Auburn and was able to spend even more time with her family and to make new and treasured friends with whom she shared much love and laughter.

Lesley is predeceased by her husband, Bill; her parents; and her sister, Marylyn. She is survived by her daughter, Seri Lowell and husband, Dana; and grandchildren, Wheeler and Maren Lowell, all of Buckfield.

Condolences may be expressed at Funeralalternatives.net.