Leah M. Beyel

West Leyden- Leah M. (Houser) Beyel, 96, formerly of State Rt. 294, and more recently of Mud Lake Road, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2015, at Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Boonville, where she had resided since June of 2015. She was born in Rome, on June 22, 1919, a daughter of Frank and Ethel Brown Houser. Leah grew up in West Branch and received her education at West Leyden Central School. Afterwards for a time she was employed as a housekeeper for Cleo and Ruth Hughes in Boonville. On June 25, 1938, Leah was united in marriage with Aaron Beyel at the parsonage of the Ava Hilltop Methodist Church. This was a happy and loving union that endured for 71 years, until Mr. Beyel passed away on December 26, 2009. After their marriage, the couple settled on the John Beyel Homestead Farm on the Mud Lake Road, near West Leyden; later Aaron and Leah purchased this farm, which they operated together for many years. In 1972, the Beyels' retired and moved to Rt. 294, West Leyden. Mrs. Beyel was a member of the West Leyden Reformed Church, where she served for many years on the Ladies Guild and sang in the church choir. She was also a member of West Leyden Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, for many years and served as auxiliary president and a member of the West Branch Grange. Leah was "gifted with an extremely green thumb." She greatly enjoyed her large vegetable and flower gardens and canning, freezing and baking cookies. She shared her produce with friends and neighbors. She had a great love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and entertained them with her childhood stories. The Beyel family Labor Day picnic, complete with Kentucky Fried Chicken, was the highlight of the summer. She is survived by two sons and daughters in law, Roger A. and Dona Beyel, West Leyden and with whom Leah had made her home with since December, 2012, James W. and Dora Beyel, Town of Russia; ten grandchildren, Martha (James) Pocchiari, Elizabeth Beyel, Kristine Dean, Elaine (Arthur) Lindsey, Douglas (Sandy) Beyel, Sean Beyel, Julie (Steve) Rosati, Leah (Anthony) Francisco, Andrew (Leakheana) Beyel, Ryan (Meghan) Beyel, nineteen great- grandchildren, and one sister, Katherine Clanton, Oneida. She was predeceased by one brother, Chester, and by four sisters, Ramona Jones, Audrey Graham, Martha Grogan and Mary Moshetti. The Beyel family wishes to especially thank Sandy White for her many years of loving care to both Aaron and Leah, and to Gayle and Sal for their kind assistance to Leah in recent months. Her Funeral Service will be Tuesday AUGUST 25, at 10:00 A.M. at The West Leyden Reformed Church, with interment to follow in West Leyden Cemetery. Calling hours are SUNDAY AUGUST 23, from 5-8 p.m. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The West Leyden Reformed Church 4685 Mud Lake Road West Leyden, NY 13489, or to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 25 Oxford Rd. New Hartford, NY 13413.