Leslie Tully-Lund

On Sept. 4, 2019, Leslie Ann (Hernandez) Tully-Lund lost her very short, battle with an aggressive cancer. She had been diagnosed with carcinoma in the lungs with an undetermined source on Aug 13, 2019. Because her death came so rapidly, the source of the cancer remained undetermined. Before her death, and at the recommendation of the St. Joseph Hospital’s Tumor Board, the family agreed she undergo a second biopsy of the lung. This surgery was performed to identify the type of cancer with the hope that more information of her cancer type could be of help to others. This would have been her wishes.

Leslie was born in Los Angeles, on November 30, 1972 to Mark Hernandez and Jo Ann (Moisa) Tully. A couple of years later, Leslie and her mother met Michael Tully and soon thereafter they moved to Eureka in 1976 for a brief while. The family returned to southern California where Leslie attended kindergarten through third grade in Santa Ana. They married in 1978. And in 1979, her brother Morgan was born. Leslie became a little mother to her little brother. She so loved him.

The family returned to Eureka in 1980. Leslie attended St. Bernard’s elementary school for two years then Marshall School until completion of sixth grade. She then attended Catherine Zane Jr. High and Eureka High School.

From a very early age, Leslie loved to sing. She joined Limited Edition in high school and eventually grew to love and sing show tunes. Her favorite musical movies were Grease, Rent, Rocky Picture Horror Show, Hairspray and Wicked, among others. ‘Beaches’ became one of her favorite movies and she was always singing “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

When Leslie turned 30, her pop, Michael, adopted her. She then became a Tully. He wanted it to be her decision completely.

She worked in Grass Valley for 12 years at Quail Ridge Senior Living Facility where she eventually became a manager. That is where she met her husband, Aaron Michael Lund. They married in Grass Valley on May 2, 2009. At that same time, Aaron took the Tully name. They became Leslie and Aaron Tully-Lund.

Shortly after getting married, Leslie and Aaron moved back to Eureka. Leslie got a job with the County of Humboldt, where she became a Human Resources Payroll Specialist. She loved her job and her coworkers quickly became her family. Aaron works at Wing Inflatables. They were both very happy to be living here in Eureka near family. Our families got together often and we were so happy to have the family back together again.

She is survived by her loving husband, Aaron, who never left her side, their 3 dogs, Scarlet, Lola and Simon, her brother Morgan Tully, his 2 children, Malia and Jonah, her parental units (as she called us), Michael and Jo Ann Tully, her father, Mark Hernandez, his wife Theresa and their 2 children, Angela and Eric, her grandmother, Stella Reyes, her (great) Uncle Ray, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Leslie had many, many friends, especially her beloved coworkers. Her best friend, Lisa Rix, was with her every step of the way in her last month. She was an invaluable source of strength for all of us. Thank you Lisa. Glad we have an “extra”. Special thanks also to Angel Boston. We would also like to thank all the nurses in the ER, PCU, and especially in ICU who helped make each day a little more bearable for us. Special thanks to Dr. Hardy, Dr. Kent (muggle), and Dr. Dieker for all they did to help us try and understand the confusion and grief we were all experiencing. Our family will be forever grateful to Dr. Zwerling, Leslie’s primary doctor, who encouraged her and gave her the best day she had all month. Thank you to all family and friends for your support.

“Oh for the love of Pete!” as Leslie would always say. Let’s celebrate her life. She would want us to be happy. Come share Leslie’s life with us.

Celebration of Life: 

Sunday, September 29, 2019 from 2-5 p.m. 
Elks Lodge, 445 Herrick Ave. Eureka

We set up a GoFundMe page to offset the medical costs that have been incurred by her numerous procedures and hospitalizations. Click here.

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The obituary above was submitted by Leslie’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.