Leslie (Gross) Diamond

Leslie Gross Diamond, beloved mother, Oma/grandmother, great-grandmother, psychologist, and wonderful friend to all who knew her, passed away on August 26 at the age of 99.

Born Liselotte in 1927 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, she was the younger daughter of Greta and Hugo Gross. After fleeing the Nazis to Holland with her family and England on the Kindertransport, she came alone to Connecticut as a teenager to live with her Uncle Martin and Aunt Gerty. Upon completing her master's degree at Trinity College, she moved to Indiana where she met and married Michael Diamond in 1956. After relocating several times, the Diamonds - along with daughters Miriam and Ruth - landed in Albany. She worked for 24 years at the Country Mental Health Center as a family therapist. At age 65 she retired and became active in the Retired Psychologists Association as well as Parents of North American Israelis.

She is remembered as a warm, kind, genuine, intelligent, down-to-earth person with a sense of humor who enjoyed reading, music and good food. 

Leslie is survived by Miriam, Ruth and Jacob Malka, grandchildren Shira, Ariel and Eden, Gilad and Stav, and Lia Malka, as well as great-granddaughters Naomi, Noga, Netta and Maya Malka. She is preceded in death by her beloved Michael and sister Ulla.

The family is appreciative of honoring her memory by donating to Mazon, the Kindertransport Association, the Lone Solider Association, or the charity of your choice.

Services will be held in the chapel at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center 180 Washington Avenue Extension in Albany on Friday August 28, 2026, at 1030 a,

Shiva will be held at Ruth's home following interment on the afternoon of Friday, August 28, and continuing Sunday through Wednesday (August 30 through September 2) between 1- 4 and 7 - 9 pm. On those days services will be held at 7:30 pm.

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