Lesley Erin “Essie” Harvey
Lesley Erin “Essie” Harvey, age 40, of Los Angeles, died on January 9, 2024.
Lesley leaves heart-broken her parents Mike and Barb Harvey; her brothers Jim and Paul; their wives, Layne and Nakeita; her niece Ryan; her nephews Nolan, Ray, and Eddy; as well as all her aunts, uncles and cousins.
Lesley was loved by so many wonderful friends who surrounded her like family in LA. Lesley was ‘mother’ to 3 precious ‘girls’, her beautiful cats: Merlin, Marbles, and Mercury.
She was described by all as an amazing light in this world. She was kind and thoughtful; nothing pleased or excited her more than giving a special and perfect gift to a loved one. Lesley was so bright, witty and clever, bringing everyone to laughter with a hilarious observation and comment. She was second to none in her ability to tell a story. She was intrepid…She tried her hand at stand-up comedy, traveled often, taught herself to play guitar, ran half marathons, and was a true force of nature when singing karaoke. Everyone wanted Lesley on their trivia team, as her depth of knowledge was amazing. She enjoyed playing board games, including fantasy role-playing games. She loved to cook and bake, always creative and eager to try new recipes.
Lesley was a graduate of USC and a talented and highly regarded Senior Story Producer in reality television. She was also a fierce champion of the underdog. Lesley was, above all else, a loving devoted daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend.
Memorial Visitation will be held 3:00pm to 9:00pm Monday, January 29 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside, IL. Family and friends will meet for a 10:00am Funeral Mass on Tuesday, January 30 at St. Francis Xavier Church, La Grange, IL. Inurnment will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the ASPCA or local animal shelter.
For Service Info: 708-352-6500
Dear Barb and Mike,
we are so sorry to hear that Erin’s light is no longer in this world. Please accept our condolences, and may God send you comfort amidst the unthinkable pain of your loss.
The Hagopian Family
Thank you Nairy and family for your kind condolences.
I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. Barb and Mike my heart has been broken over this news of Lesley. I know what a very special Daughter, Sister, Aunt and Friend she has been.
I sure wish I had been given the opportunity to know her
better. My love and Prayers go out to you and please know how much I Love You.
Thank you so much, Peggy. She was special indeed & you two would have had great laughs together. Love you too.
Dear Barb and Mike,
I am so sorry for this unimaginable loss to our world. May you be surrounded by friends, family, hope, and light at this very difficult time.
Shannon Murray (Bain)
Thank you so much Shannon. So much love and support coming our way really means a lot.
Harvey and McMurray family, please accept my sincerest condolences. Essie is a beautiful woman, inside and out, and gone too soon. I’m a friend of Mary’s and she loves her nieces and talks about them often. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Jen
Dear Jen, thank you for your kind words. Our entire family will miss her forever. We appreciate your message.
Harvey and McMurray family I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Essie’s story, she was a very special Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Friend to all she touched. I wish you all peace and comfort during this time.
Jeannie
Dear Jeannie, thank you very much for reaching out with you comforting message. It is appreciated.
I met Lesley working on a show over ten years ago. And we have collaborated many more times over the years. She’s by far one of the most talented and creative producers I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. More than working with her though, I loved laughing with her. She was so, sooo funny. Her spot on impressions (never of famous people, usually of cast members on our shows) always cracked us up. We both had an absurd sense of humor and some of my favorite memories are just crying laughing at the most outlandish things together. At 5pm in my edit bay, we would always joke there was a gas leak – because we would both get so stupid and silly in the evenings. I’ll never forget Lesley’s laugh. It was magical. Over the years Lesley became a good friend. We would check in on one another and go for walks or bagels. We could be vulnerable and honest with one another in a way that sometimes feels rare in Los Angeles. Lesley was sensitive and compassionate and authentic. She had such a good and loving heart. I loved the way she would play her guitar and sing with so much soul. She was a free spirit and a very good person. I’m very fortunate for having known her and been in her light. I still am having trouble believing that she is gone. But I feel her presence often. I can hear her big, throaty laugh and see her smile and her warm, glowing eyes. Lesley, or Harvey as I called her, was and is a special soul and I miss her so much. To her parents and family… I am so sorry for your incredible loss. She was magical.
Hello Josh,
Such a wonderful message and tribute to Lesley! Thank you for this note with your happy memories and kind, loving comments about her. I certainly know your name, as Lesley often spoke of you…always with gratitude for your friendship and support, and especially the laughter that got her through each production. It is comforting to us, her family, to know how much she was recognized and appreciated for being such an amazing person. We are sincerely grateful to you for sharing these thoughts with us, for taking the time to write such a special tribute.
Dear Barb and Mike-
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Essie. I can’t imagine your pain.
My deepest condolences.
Terri Kellogg
Dear Terri, Thank you very much for your thoughtful message. Essie was very special.
Dear Barb, Mike and family,
Although I didn’t know Essie personally, I am very touched by the wonderful description above.
Please accept my sincere condolences on your very great loss.
Hugs,
Cynthia Hahn
Dear Cynthia, Thank you so much for your kind condolences. Your message touches & comforts are aching hearts.
Dear Barb and Mike,
My heart breaks for you. May you find comfort in your family and friends. May that you take comfort in the knowledge that Lesley lived an amazing life and had dear friends and adoring family. Know that you are an important part of my extended family of choice and you will be in my prayers.
Dearest Missy, How kind and thoughtful of you to reach out with your lovely message. ThNk you so much.
Dear Barbara, Mike, and Family, Although I didn’t know Essie personally, I am moved by your tender description, her intrepidness, and her love of life. I am very sorry for your terrible loss. I hope sweet memories and love of family surround you at this time. My sincere condolences.
Con mucho cariño,
Gizella
Dear Gizella, we appreciate very much your kind and thoughtful message of support.
I worked previously with Lesley and she was always a joy to be around and work with. She was always making me laugh and I always felt like I had a friend in her. To her family and friends, I am so incredibly for this unimaginable loss. Thinking of you all and sending love your way.
Thank you for your kind message, Michelle. I remember her speaking of you as a friend and appreciating working with you.
Dear Bard & Mike,
Lesley held a very very special place in my heart. We were very close towards the end. I honestly am quite lost. I think this shocks us all. I have heard a lot about everyone and I’ll be keeping you all in my prayers.
Love,
Paul ( JD ) Kucan
Hello JD,
Thank you for reaching out. We appreciate your kind message.
I recently met Lesley in LA. While our friendship was brief, the quality was magical. Our small group of friends were deeply impacted. Lesley’s superior intellect, charm, and humor made for amazing conversations and story sharing. My deepest condolences to her family. She spoke so fondly and lovingly about her recent family visit. Lesley will forever live in the hearts of those that were blessed to know her. Sympathy, love, and prayers to her loving family..
Hello Rick,
Thank you for your kind and comforting message about your friendship with Lesley. We appreciate you sharing your thoughts about her. She was so loved by everyone who knew her. Peace.
What an amazing person. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Leslie sounds like an amazing person. I’m sure she was and is deeply loved. I’m so sorry for the pain and sorrow you are going through.
Betti, Thank you for your kind message. We appreciate hearing from you…it brings some much needed comfort.
Dear Barb & Mike, Jim, and Paul,
I learned today of Lesley’s passing and my heart is hurting. You have my deepest condolences for the loss of your daughter and sister.
She was a singular woman and one of the most intelligent, charismatic, loving, funny, sensitive, talented and dedicated people I’m sure I will ever meet. I’m so thankful for the growing up we did together as roommates at USC, and for the memories made later during visits in Portland, LA, and NYC.
Her friendship was a bright light in my life, and I will always cherish the long letters we wrote to each other in our mid-thirties, after we’d each experienced some of life’s bigger challenges. As she and I used to say when we were 20 years old, she was ‘the green to my blue.’ I was lucky to know her and I will miss her forever.
She loved all of you so much.
Janet
Dear Janet,
We all thank you so much for your beautiful words and sentiment. It means the world to us to hear from Lesley’s dear friends and your message is particularly touching. She loved you.
Harvey Family
My heart is breaking. May you find Peace to navigate through this tough time. Remembering all of the fond and amazing memories of Essie.
Dear Karen,
Thank you for your kind message. Lesley had such fond memories of all the fun she had growing up with you. She couldn’t see a box of Kraft macaroni & cheese and not mention you. xoxo
I heard about Lesley’s passing last night. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
I knew Lesley at USC. We were in the same freshman dorm and shared many classes and mutual friends throughout college. I lost touch with her when I left Los Angeles, but she was such a bright, wonderful person that I still remember the last time I saw her. We ran into each other by chance at a bookstore. She asked how I was doing with genuine care and interest, and we caught up before agreeing that our seeing each other was extremely random but a welcome fortuitous encounter. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.
Hello Derek,
Thank you for reaching out to us with your memories of Lesley. It is so kind of you and touches us deeply. She cherished her USC friends and we’re happy to hear about your happy random meeting.
Dear Mike, Barbara, and family. What a beautiful description and picture of Lesley Erin. She seems lovely is every way. As a parent I can’t even imagine the extent of your grief. My deep condolences.. My heart goes out to all of you.
Chuck Silverstein
Thank you, Chuck … for reaching out to us. Your condolences are felt and appreciated. Mike & Barb
Dearest family of Lesley,
My name is Natalie, and I met Lesley in 2010 when she was the receptionist at Magical Elves in downtown LA. I remember liking her immediately, she was so real, and funny, and we became fast friends. She quickly made the move to story producing, knowing that she needed to be in a more creative job, and I think we were both on Top Chef at the same time. In 2012 we both went on to Betsey and Lulu. I’m not sure if you would remember Lesley talking about the Betsey Johnson show, but it was a total disaster show and we worked on it for nearly 9 months together. It was awful, but honestly what got us through it, was each other and our editor Christine. Lesley’s ability to turn a nightmare screening into something positive, or figure out a way to address the notes we were given, it was a skill that not a lot of people had. The three of us would sit in an edit bay and just talk about our lives, and laugh at the absurdity of making a reality show. Looking back at our old emails, it ended up being a notch on our belts that we got through that show together. We went on to produce several seasons of Chrisley Knows Best after that, and the Chicago based show Livin’ Large, when she got to go on set for her episode which I know she loved doing. I guess why I’m telling you all of this, is that I hired her on every show I did, because I knew her work ethic, her humor and her kindness would get us through even the hardest of shows. She was always my first call, and I was always so relieved when she would say yes.
Throughout those years of working together, there were also weddings, baby showers, birthdays, work dinners, and Christmas parties that we got to share together. I can see her beautiful smiling face and hear that big laugh as I write this. She was so very special, and kind, and funny.
I wanted to reach out because I just wanted you to know how important she was to so many of us here in LA. Her passing has affected so many people, and the texts and emails with stories of her have been abundant lately. She will not be forgotten, I promise you that.
I’m so very sorry for your loss, my heart breaks for all of you who loved her. May she rest in peace.
Natalie Allan Reid
Your remembrance of her is so very heartfelt and lovely. I do remember you, Natalie, overseeing her hiring on many of the various shows she’d undertake. Tearfully, each day, I learn of these impressions / memories of her and the many ways her life intertwined with real and beautiful friendships. Thank you so much for sharing yours. Je me souviens … our dear Lesley!
Dear Natalie,
Thank you so much for your loving message filled with so many memories of Lesley. I remember all those shows and you. She spoke of you often and valued your friendship and your professional relationship. Your camaraderie on the shows made a big difference and it’s touching for us to hear you speak of her humor, skill, and importance to her colleagues in LA. The notes on each show was a part of many of our conversations and it means a lot to us for you to share that she was so adept at addressing them. She and I talked and laughed a lot about the Betsey and Chrisley shows, and I remember how much she enjoyed being on set for Living Large. We were thrilled because it brought her to Chicago and gave us special time with her. I have a Betsey necklace that I got when she was doing the show and I will treasure it always. Our hearts are truly broken, but kind messages like yours do bring us comfort because she was loved and cherished for the beautiful light she brought to everyone. To know that her reality tv community is sharing stories and remembering her so fondly is a gift that we thank you for sincerely. On behalf of all our family, please know we are grateful.
To all those who knew and loved Lesley, today & always after I join in your grief.
I met Lesley very soon after moving to Los Angeles in 2007, and she quickly became a bright light in my life. We shared laughter and smiles through some pretty dark times. I was stunned and saddened to learn of her untimely passing.
Lesley imbued my life with an irreplaceable sense of being seen and understood. I am so very, very sorry for the loss of her. The world has lost one of its finest souls. She is deeply missed.
Hello Reine,
Thank you for reaching out to extend your condolences. It’s comforting to hear that Lesley was a bright light for you, as I imagine you were for her as well. She was truly a very kind and caring person and I’m happy to know that you experienced her love and support.
We will miss her forever,
Dear Barb and Mike,
Today a mutual friend of ours shared the heartbreaking news of your Lesley’s passing. Please know we are thinking of you at this time of great loss.
Most sincerely,
Barb and Dave Miller
Thank you, Barb. It is so kind of you to reach out. We appreciate your thoughtfulness.