Leslie Gangl Howe was deeply loved: by her husband, Howard Howe; her mother, Maria del Carmen Gangl; her brother Bob and his wife, Tamie; her sister, Stephanie; her brother Chris and his wife, Felicia; and her more than 20 nieces and nephews and by the hundreds of theater people — actors, technicians, designers, and directors, with whom she worked over an extraordinary 50-year career — and the thousands of audience members who had a chance to catch her breathtakingly brilliant performances.
When the standard of one’s work is consistently excellent, the irony is we take that standard for granted. We find ourselves declaring: “Oh yes, she’s always wonderful!” Leslie Gangl Howe’s collective fans, friends, and collaborators felt assured that every time she stepped onstage (or in front of a camera) she would provide a thoughtful, meaningful, often hilarious performance. All while gifting us with that dazzling smile.
Leslie’s extraordinary ability left audiences in tears and laughter, show after show, and she did it all with a sweetness of spirit and an unassuming dedication to the craft that was amazing to behold. For the woman inside the performer was the most remarkable. In the depth of her compassion for others, her kindness, her openness — she was a rock star.
