Lynne Leslie Saad

Lynne Leslie Saad - "Red", as Dan called her - was a woman who swallowed the world whole. She moved through life with magnetic generosity, creating spaces where hospitality, wit, and impish humor were always in good supply. She and Dan were fabulous cooks, and being hosted in their home was always a pleasure - warm, gracious, and infused with her signature maximalism. The eldest daughter of a family of funeral directors serving the Lower Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, Lynne met Dan in the late 1960s in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Lynne was a ticketing agent for the Canadian airlines and Dan was in the US Air Force. Their connection grew into a lifelong partnership, eventually bringing them to Toledo, Ohio, Dan's birth city. Tenaciously married, Lynne and Dan's support and commitment to each other was palpable in everything they did, from raising their daughters to shaping the neighborhoods and communities they cherished. At the start of the 1970s, they moved into a curious and majestic neighborhood near the Toledo Museum of Art. She was part of a pioneering group of families in Toledo's Old West End, eventually organizing as WOWE: Women of the Old West End - who, facing banks and insurance companies engaged in redlining, made the case in person that this was a neighborhood of committed, thriving families. Their efforts led to the achievement of historic designation for the neighborhood- a lasting testament to their vision and persistence. An avowed creatrix, Lynne was also a catalyst for culture. Alongside Judy Dilloway, Connie Pawecki, Toni Moore and others, she helped establish the Old West End Festival, including its juried art show, creating an enduring space where art, craft, and community could flourish, as it does to this day, in 2025. Her life was a masterclass in making beauty and creativity coexist with tenacity, and on one's own terms. She was fabulously inventive: in 2D, following in her mother's footsteps, and in 3D, with textiles, wearable art, and over-the-top creations that astonished and delighted under the label L. Leslie Designs for the past 25 years. Not one to ask for permission, Lynne modeled audacity and flair. She started multiple businesses, including Lemme Do It, a one-stop shop for weddings, events, and logistical miracles. In Florida, she managed massive Disney convention accounts with her trademark blend of precision, finesse, and calm. She moved through life with a restless creativity, always seeing possibilities and building worlds that others hadn't yet imagined. Those who knew her remember not only her achievements, but the way she made people feel seen, ignited in their creative power and delightfully unsettled by her mischievous sense of humor. She gave herself, and everyone around her, permission to play, to create, and to fully inhabit the world. Lynne is survived by her loving husband Daniel Saad, younger brother Paul Harris (Catherine) and sister Joanne Stone, daughters Tobie and Corri Saad (Jerod Christy), and grandchildren Zachary, Ansel and Isobel Bartels. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in Lynne's memory to The Victory Center at 3166 Republic Drive North, Toledo, Ohio 43615. Information regarding the celebration of life, scheduled for Spring, 2026 will be forthcoming. There will be no funeral or public viewing, per Lynne's wishes. Your loving kindness in holding Lynne, Dan and their family in your hearts and thoughts is deeply appreciated.

Tributes

Lynne Leslie Saad

November 4, 1946 - September 17, 2025