Named for her father Lester Stockard, a shipping executive — Lesly Smith was raised in New York City and began visiting Palm Beach when her parents bought a house in the 1950’s. She has been a full-time resident for decades.  She is a longtime member of the Garden Club of Palm Beach and served the town as a member of the Architectural Review Commission, then as a Town Council member for seven years, five as Council President, and eventually served as Mayor of Palm Beach from 2000-2005 .

Lesly is an active philanthropist, Chairman of the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League; supporter of Opportunity Inc., Boys & Girls Clubs, Adopt-A-Family, Catholic Charities, the Center for Family Services, Farmworker Children’s Council, the Hanley Center, the Par 3 Foundation, Rosarian Academy, the Preservation Foundation, Seagull Industries, The Society of the Four Arts, St. Ann’s Place, St. Ann’s School, Take Stock in Children, The ARC, The Lord’s Place and many others.  Mrs. Smith also serves as president of the Fortin Child Care Foundation and the Fortin Foundation of Florida, which to date have allocated more than $30 million, focusing on causes dedicated to improving lives and building strong communities.

Her daughter, Danielle Moore, said her mother’s philanthropy has deep familial roots. “She grew up with a great father who provided a strong moral compass and taught her that much was expected of her, and that it was an obligation to give back to her community,” Moore said.  She is a trustee of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, founded by her late husband, Ambassador Earl E.T. Smith, and sits on the boards of the Pitt Foundation, Town of Palm Beach U