Mary D. Leach

Mary D. Leach TANNERSVILLE- Mary D. Leach, 93, passed away Sept. 28, 2015. Mary was the “Benedictine Baby”, cared for by the Nuns at Benedictine in Kingston until she was adopted at 6 months by Mary Elizabeth Dale Haner. Mary graduated from Hunter-Tannersville School in 1940. She was predeceased by her husband Howard whom she married while he was home on leave during World War II from his Command in the North African Campaign. Mary and Howard ran the family business, Colonial Coal Yard/ Colonial Oil & Gas, for many successful years while engaging in numerous projects to benefit the community. Mary was appointed to the Wassaic Board, a State-wide health program for mentally disabled children, by Governor Harriman. She was also active in school, church and local initiatives, sponsoring fund-raisers for many organizations at the Colonial Country Club. Mary is lovingly remembered by her five children, Rosemary Hyer, Michael, Patrick (Laurie), Matthew (Kelly) and Timothy Leach, all of Tannersville. Mary was predeceased by her grandson, Kyle Leach at the age of 4, as well as her beloved daughter-in-law, Sharon, and son-in-law, Mark Hyer. Mary also leaves 17 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Mary’s last days were spent at her home in Tannersville, lovingly cared for by her family and a team of local caretakers. At the time of her passing, she was a resident of the Robinson Terrace Home in Stamford, with her granddaughter Bridget by her side as a personal aide. Mary will be remembered as a great lady, a good friend to all, and a blessing to her community and the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Haines Falls, where she began as the organist during her teenage years. Visitation hours are on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at the Aston-Basagic Funeral Home, Main Street in Hunter. Funeral service will be on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Haines Falls. Interment will be at the St. Francis DeSales cemetery in Elka Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund in Haines Falls or the Tannersville Rescue Squad.