Harold and Majorie C. Babb

Harold Babb September 4, 2011 Marjorie C. Babb September 26, 2011 Harold Babb passed away after a short illness on his 85th birthday, September 4, 2011 at home in Waddington, NY, with his family by his side. Just three weeks later, on September 26, his wife of 64 years, Marjorie, joined him in eternal rest at the age of 83. She succumbed to a long illness and passed away at Massena Memorial Hospital, Massena, NY, with her family by her side. Harold was born in Mosheim, Tennessee, the only son of Raymond E. and Mary Louise (Brown) Babb. He spent his youth in Greene County, Tennessee, a place he loved, and then moved to Detroit, MI. After serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve, he received his Ph.D in general psychology from Ohio State University in 1953. His career as an educator and experimental psychologist spanned 42 years. He retired from Binghamton University in 1995 after serving as professor of psychology for 24 years, including three years as chairman of the Psychology Department. His love of nature was evident in his daily life. Harold was an avid bird-watcher and environmentalist. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was an accomplished violinist, a genealogist, and a voracious reader. Above all he was a devoted husband to his beloved Marjorie. Marjorie C. (Leask) Babb was born September 18, 1928 in Detroit, Michigan to John Andrew Taylor Leask and Margaret (Horne) Leask, who emigrated from Scotland. Marjorie loved music and all things Scottish. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, and weekend outings with the family. She and Harold met as teenagers and were married on September 27, 1947. After raising three children, Marjorie went to work at African Road Middle School, where she so enjoyed her position as executive secretary to the principal for 25 years. She retired in 1994 and often mentioned the wonderful people she met there and with whom she worked. Marjorie always had a kind word for everyone and would light up a room with her smile. She had a way of saying just the thing that made you feel better no matter what you'd done. They are survived by three children, Patricia C. Bendert and son-in-law, Edward, Barbara L. Babb and David E. Babb and wife, Kathleen. They are also survived by 10 grandchildren as follows: Austin Miller (and wife Jillian) of Gilbert AZ (formerly of Vestal, NY), Andrew, Megan, and Zachary Dombroski of Bozeman, MT, Ed Bendert of Washington, D.C. (formerly of Vestal, NY), Michelle Legge (and husband Michael) of Clifton Park, NY (formerly of Endicott, NY), Nathaniel and Jonathan Babb or Camillus, NY, and Margo Babb of Newark, NY and Maxwell Babb of Albertville, MN. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren, Adelyn Miller, Austin John Miller, and Tyler Legge; Marjorie's beloved brother, Kenneth Leask, and many friends and relatives from Tennessee. Marjorie was predeceased by her brother, William Leask. Calling hours will be on Friday, October 7, 2011 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Allen Memorial Home, 511 Main St., Endicott, NY.