Leora A. Preston

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. Leora A. White Preston, 101 years old, of Johnson City and formerly of Oneonta, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at the James G. Johnson Memorial Nursing Home, Johnson City, N.Y. She was born Feb. 19, 1907, in Comstock, N.Y., the daughter of Orville D. and Ella M. (Hurd) White. She married Clarence E. Preston of Oneonta on Aug. 4, 1937, in Oneonta. He predeceased her in 1983. Mrs. Preston spent most of her early life in Glens Falls, N.Y., graduating from the Glens Falls High School and the Glens Falls Teachers Training Class. After graduating from Oneonta Normal School she went on to receive her degree from SUCO. She also attended Syracuse University. While teaching for 15 years in Glens Falls, she became president of the Teachers Association and Chairman of the Intermediate Session of the New York State Teachers Association. She was active in civic and social groups, acting and directing Little Theatre groups. Mrs. Preston served as County Chairman of the March of Dimes for several years, a member of the Glens Falls-Queensbury Historical Association, former Oneonta Women's Club, N.Y. Retired Teachers Association, Life member of the Glen Star Chapter 95 of Glens Falls, Past Noble Grand of Mohican Rebekah Lodge of Glens Falls, Past Noble Grand of Royal Rebekah Lodge of Oneonta, Past Assembly Conduction of the Rebekah Assembly of the State of N.Y. Ex-Regent of the Oneonta Chapter DAR, Past president of SUCO Alumni Association, also receiving Meritorious Alumni Award, past president of the Villa Monterey Ladies Auxiliary of Scottsdale, past president of the Villa Monterey Golf Association, a former member of the Oneonta Country Club Women's Association and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta. Mrs. Preston was a member of her husband's bobsled team. She is survived by her cousin, Martin Edwards and his wife, Laurel, of Albany, N.Y. and her husband's nephew, Joseph Stewart and his wife, Kathy, of Norwich, N.Y. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2008, in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mark Montfort, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Oneonta officiating. Burial will follow in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery. Memorial donations in Leora's name may be made to the Future of Oneonta Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 134, Oneonta, NY 13820. To send an online condolence or light a candle please visit www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com.