I didn’t know Leslie Noble Ballew. But she was a huge fan of the weekly Trivia Nights at the Westport Flea Market (held on Wednesdays and Thursdays), and anyone who delights in knowing the battles of the Crimean War or identifying TV theme song snippets is just cool, period.
Leslie, who tragically lost her life in the Ward Parkway shooting, had been to every Wednesday night trivia bout since last June. She and her team, the Mindblogglers, sat at the same table, the one in the corner by the railing, in the sunken part of the restaurant. As a tribute, a framed picture of her sits atop the food-ordering podium. Also, the proceeds from the past couple of weeks of trivia went to her memorial fund, with the Flea Market matching the donations. At tonight’s trivia-fest, which starts at 9 p.m., owner Joe Zwillenberg will present the check to her family.
I went to the Flea Market last night because I wanted to hear more about her and her life. When the game ended around 10 p.m., I wandered over to a corner table and talked to a team called Spatulator, which consisted of a foursome of April, Kyle, Caroline and Steven. They’ve been coming to trivia for the past several weeks. Last Wednesday, Nate, the host, read a heartfelt letter from her team. When Spatulator came in first, they donated their winnings to her fund.
According to Nate, a teammate of Leslie’s e-mailed him the Monday afterwards. “It’s been tough,” he said, still visibly distraught. “I got the e-mail and my gut got all turned around.” He said that trivia was a big deal to her and her friends. “That’s bittersweet, I guess. I didn’t want (trivia) to be this serious of a deal, but life gets in the way.”
Nate gave me a copy of the statement from her teammates that he read at last Wednesday’s game. It reads, in part:
Leslie Noble Ballew, co-founder and cornerstone of the Mindbloggler trivia team and our friend, was taken from us by a madman’s bullet at Ward Parkway Mall on Sunday afternoon.Our confusion and loss cannot be described, and the world’s loss is just as profound. No one can imagine what this brilliant, loving, wonderful young woman was capable of adding to a world desperately in need of her.
Whether you know it or not, you were all a part of Leslie. For the past year, Trivia Night was her favorite night of the week. The camaraderie, the food and drinks, Nate’s colorful comments, and the rare opportunity to draw pictures (with nipples) on a magnadoodle made her laugh and smile all week long. Thank you for that.
“She was so nice,” Nate said. Referring to those who get all riled up during trivia, he added, “She wasn’t competitive, she was very happy-go-lucky. She had reason to lose her cool, but she had a really sweet temperament. I’m glad we could do something. She was a sweetheart. It’s just too bad.” – Jen Chen
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The essence of Leslie was her extraordinary ability to accept people for what they were, what they were not, and realized that a persons life, beliefs, and concepts change and evolve with time, and therefore did not pass judgement. She understood everyones position regardless if they were opposing. She was not a democrat nor a republican but both. She viewed life from 360 degrees. She stood independently and was not affected by others opinions. She truly understood the Voltaire's philosopy of "cultivate your own garden". She knew no enemies...just people she had not yet shopped with. I miss her everyday, but am ever greatful to have had her as my sister. Diana Noble-Long
So many thanks to the trivia players, to Nate, to the writer of this blog, and to Joe. We can't thank you enough.
The Mindblogglers
Just a quick note... but the blogs I have been reading are so touching! Speaking for Leslie's family, we have been so happy to see how much fun she was having, and how many lives she has touched. We always knew she was the greatest! we just didn't realize everyone else thought so too!
Thanks for all the kind words and loving memories! We've all benefitted from being a part of her life, and I for one intend to keep her memory alive somehow. Please let me know if you have any thoughts to share. The 'madman' should not get the last word!
Warm regards, Audrey, Leslie's sister
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