Remembering Leslie Devereaux: Longtime Zoo Supporter Left a Lasting Mark

The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) lost one of its most ardent fans with the passing of Leslie Cameron Devereaux in late September.

Many Detroit Zoo guests and members will recognize Leslie’s name from the expansive Devereaux Tiger Forest, one of the Zoo’s most popular animal habitats. With a significant gift, Leslie made it possible for the DZS to more than triple the size of this habitat and increase its complexity with a variety of water features, trees, elevated outlooks and a catnap cave. It is also a thrilling place for guests, with shaded viewing areas that offer close-up views of the Amur tigers.

But, Leslie’s support for the DZS expanded well beyond her gift for the tiger habitat expansion.

“Without any fanfare, Leslie generously supported our conservation mission with a monthly gift as well as a special contribution every year,” says Jane Alessandrini, DZS vice president of development.

Leslie was born in 1942 to Adelyn and Richard C. Devereaux. Beginning in her childhood, she spent summers and winters with her family at their vacation home on the Au Sable River, where she first developed a deep love and appreciation of nature and wildlife.

Leslie attended Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan, and went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

It seems inevitable that Leslie would return to Michigan and continue following two of her favorite teams — the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers — while her fondness for animals (and big cats, especially) continued to grow. When not cheering for her favorite teams, Leslie enjoyed competing in games of euchre with countless friends and was thrilled to be victorious in what turned out to be her final game, only days before her passing.

Most importantly, Leslie will be forever remembered for her kind and generous heart and love of her community. A humble yet renowned philanthropist, Leslie served as president of the Richard C. Devereaux Foundation until her death and strongly supported many worthy organizations and causes, including cancer and Alzheimer's Disease research, environmental conservation and preservation, animal welfare, the arts, and the Deering Library at Northwestern University.

While Leslie and the Devereaux Foundation supported the Detroit Zoo and all these worthy causes without any desire for recognition, she was particularly proud of the award-winning Devereaux Tiger Forest, which she visited often with her dear friends, Dick and Sally Bradley.

“She just loved the Zoo, its animal residents, and all the people she met here over the years,” Alessandrini says. “And as someone who knew Leslie for 25 years, I promise you – it went both ways.”