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Leet, Mildred Elizabeth Colwell
Mildred Elizabeth Colwell Leet, 97, died on May 4 at Arnot-Ogden Hospital after a brief illness. She was born on August 7, 1918, in Mannsville (Town of Ellisburg), NY, the first child of Hamilton Erwin Colwell and Grace Kellogg Widrig Colwell.
After graduating from Belleville Central High School, she attended Syracuse University, where she met her husband, Herbert Lawrence Leet. They were married on December 21, 1940. Mildred graduated from Syracuse University in 1941 with a bachelor's degree in dramatic arts.
Mildred used her dramatic skills often as she raised five children and cared for her family in Gilbertsville, New Berlin, Lodi, and Endicott, NY; Norwalk, CT; and finally Corning, NY. She lived for 50 years in Corning, before moving to Appleridge Senior Living in Horseheads, NY.
Throughout her life, Mildred was curious, energetic, open to new ideas, eager to try new experiences, and always ready for a friendly/fierce Scrabble game. Above all, she was loving. She was both a comfort and an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. Those include the many friends she made through her leadership and service in the American Association of University Women, Meals on Wheels, Literacy Volunteers of America, and SHHH (Self Help for the Hard of Hearing). She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Corning for 58 years, where she served as Church Librarian, President of the Women's Society of Christian Service, Circle leader, founder of the Early Risers, and as Trustee.
Mildred was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her three brothers: John, Raymond, and William Colwell. She is survived by her children: Ian (Edith), Julia Peckham, George (Joy), James, and Nancy (John) O'Leary and their families. She delighted in her grandchildren: Brian and Becca Leet; Cindy (Kevin) Wyckoff and Diane (Carl) Patzer; Jennifer (Joe) Aicher Powell, Martha Miller, Jane, and Mitchell Leet; and Brendan (Megan) O'Leary and Shannon (Samuel) Planck. She enjoyed her great-grandchildren: Jessica, John, Daniel, and Timothy Wyckoff; Musika and Vai Miller; Joanna Powell; Beatrice Planck, and Colin O'Leary. She took equal pleasure in the lives of her cousin Teresa Greene, and in her brother's families: beloved sister-in-law Luzmarina Colwell, Grace (Sean Quigley), Andrea (David) Crane, and Andrew Colwell; and Melissa Colwell (Alton) Folks, Ashley (Michael) Vereker and Oliver, and Jillian Folks.
A service honoring Mildred will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, Corning, NY on Saturday, May 21, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Sand Hill Cemetery, Stanley, NY, on Friday, May 20, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Meals on Wheels, or a charity of choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by The Star-Gazette.
1 Entry
Dear Leet Family,
So saddened to hear the news of my dear friend. She was such a wonderful soul and we were all so very lucky to have had her in our lives. Thank you for sharing her with all of us who are proud to call her friend. Giant hugs for all of you from across the miles....
Peg Wood
Peg Wood
May 10, 2016
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