Leslie Yvonne (Williams) Adamson was born in the Orchard Park neighborhood of Roxbury on July 15, 1952, to Theola (Young) Williams and Robert Williams Sr. She was preceded in death by her six older siblings: Anita Williams, Jean Brinson, Barbara Garrett, Robert Williams Jr., Carol Brown, and Marie Evans.

Despite living outside of Massachusetts for a period, Leslie was always proud of her Boston roots. She attended the Dearborn School and Jeremiah E. Burke High School. She began her professional career as a secretary at Northeastern University, working in the office of the late John D. O'Bryant. She later worked at Harvard University, serving as an executive assistant at Radcliffe College and for the late Charles Ogletree at Harvard Law School. Committed to social justice, Leslie enjoyed working with those who shared her view that everyone deserved equal educational, political, and social rights and opportunities. She worked tirelessly until health issues required her to leave the workforce and ultimately led to her passing at the age of 71.

Leslie was an extraordinary woman, who will be remembered for her keen intellect, feisty personality, beautiful smile, generosity, and the grace with which she endured the hard times.  She held on to her faith despite life's challenges and sorrows.

Leslie will be deeply missed by too many relatives and friends to list.  She leaves behind two daughters, Haile Adamson and Katrice Adamson, her ex-husband, Peter Adamson, dozens of nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, as well as many friends.