Former Baltimore City Chief Solicitor Leslie Susan Winner passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The Northwest Baltimore resident was 80.
“Leslie was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and a distinguished professional whose contributions to her community will forever be remembered,” Winner’s family wrote on the memorial page of the website of Sol Levinson & Bros. “As Chief Solicitor for Baltimore City, Leslie dedicated herself to fostering justice and serving the city she loved with unwavering integrity.”
A graduate of Forest Park High School, Winner attended the University of Maryland. She practiced law for more than four decades, specializing in construction, real estate, state government and corporate law.
“Leslie was a wonderful person who I worked with at City Hall for a number of years,” posted former Baltimore Mayor Sheila E. Dixon. “She was a talented, excellent attorney in the Law Department who loved Baltimore City. Her spirit of giving to help solve so many issues that impacted the city, and her dedication was extraordinary.”
In her spare time, Winner enjoyed traveling around the world and spending time with friends and family.
“Her warmth, dedication and spirited personality touched the lives of many,” wrote her family. “Friends and colleagues will remember her not just for her professional accomplishments but also for her kindness, wit and the generous spirit she shared with those around her.”
Winner is survived by her sister, Toni (Winner) Heller, and her husband Dr. Richard Heller of Nashville; her niece Jaime (Mark) Kocourek; and her nephew, Dr. Richard (Beth) Heller.
She was predeceased by her parents, Lenore (Schrum) Winner and Elliott Winner.
Graveside services were held for Winner on Sunday morning, Feb. 2, at Beth Tfiloh Cemetery, 5660 Windsor Mill Road.
The family requests that donations in her memory be made to Jewish Community Services, 5750 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.
“Leslie was a superb lawyer who used her skills to benefit Baltimore City government and its citizens. I had the privilege of working with her for years and admired her weekly advocacy before the Board of Estimates,” wrote Richard E. Kagan, who works in the corporate real estate division of the Baltimore City Law Department. “Leslie provided excellent advice to the City Administration and her agency clients. She was appreciated and respected by all. May her memory be a blessing.”
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