Leslie and Sophie Rosenberg

About Leslie and Sophie

Leslie Rosenberg (April 18th, 1956 - October 15th, 2018)

Born April 18, 1956 Leslie was a creative soul in every imaginable way, a pianist, artist, and life-long learner. Leslie had a precocious and inspiring spirit, encouraging everyone around her to follow their heart. If she saw any way to help you, she would not miss an opportunity to do everything in her power to do so, whether it be putting you in touch with the incredible community she always had around her (everyone was just a phone call away and her phone book was full of people eager to hear from her) or showing up at your house with something to make you feel loved. Her pride and joy was her family, and she was always finding the most innovative and wonderful ways to bring them joy. She was thrilled to be a grandmother, welcoming everyone into her home, where there wasn’t a moment of being an empty-nester. She spent her time with her eight grandkids, teaching them the Cha-Cha, pampering them with love and affection. She was always looking for gifts for everyone around her, no reason needed, surprising people (and animals) with anything she thought would make them smile, chocolate oranges, essential oils, dog treats, and nail kits just to name a few.

Sophie Pearl Rosenberg (June 19th, 1999 - October 15th, 2018)

Born June 19, 1999 was a mechanical engineering sophomore at Texas A&M. While there she continued to push for high achievement and was a dean’s scholar. Never content to rest on her laurels, she was always seeking out projects to pursue and new challenges to conquer. At home, she was a keen baker-- even going as far as getting a torch to make creme brulee, constantly concocting new recipes to accommodate everyone’s dietary needs. She was a proud aunt to all of her eight nieces and nephews, always baking or making homemade gifts with them. Sophie's friends say she had a magical way of making everyone feel included. A sign outside Chabad Jewish Center reads 'home away from home', and members say Sophie made everyone who walked in feel like family.

“My sister never returned home. She won’t cook another meal. My niece isn’t on the alumni rolls, she’s on a memorial plaque.”

- Cathy Forman, Sister of Leslie and Aunt of Sophie

Crash Description

A big rig pulling a saltwater tanker turned onto Highway 21 from FM1362 in Cooks Point Texas. My sister was driving a minivan and the driver of the Big rig says he saw my sisters car but he pulled onto the highway anyway. My sister never saw the tanker. The intersection had no lights and the tanker was dark blue had no visible lights on the side so it was invisible to see. There were no skid marks. My sisters minivan went right under the tanker because she never saw it. Sophie and Leslie were killed.

Life After the Crash

The crash was devastating for the family. Cathy lost her sister, a lifelong confidante, and her niece, a young woman with a bright future ahead of her. Cathy is working to make side lighting on trucks a requirement, as well as the maintenance of those lights. By sharing Sophie and Leslie’s story, Cathy hopes to honor her family and raise awareness for safer trucking issues.