The Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association lost a prominent leader when Leslie Lawton died April 15.
Early on, Lawton was one a strong advocate for preserving the apricot orchard at the Sunnyvale Community Center as a heritage park. By selling commemorative bricks, she raised money to create the Orchard Heritage Park Interpretive Exhibit on the edge of the orchard, filled with panels explaining the agricultural roots of the area and honoring local orchard families. When the historical society started plans to build a museum for showcasing Sunnyvale’s rich history, Lawson threw herself into the project.
Lawson filled many roles with the association during her decades of membership. She served on the board of directors as events coordinator, vice president and president. For 10 years, she was the editor of the museum’s newsletter. Her enthusiasm as a museum docent inspired other volunteers, whom she then mentored. One of the museum activities she loved most were the annual Victorian Teas, which she always supported with her homemade lemon curd to be served with scones.
Lawson’s engagement with the Sunnyvale community did not stop at the museum. Soon after she moved to Sunnyvale in 1976, she became one of the original members of the city’s Chamber of Commerce. She graduated from the Leadership Sunnyvale program and served on the board of Sunnyvale Community Services—where she was well known for her generous donation of limoncello to the nonprofit’s annual auctions—and as board president for the American Cancer Society MidBay.
All of these accomplishments earned Lawson the city’s Murphy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.