Leith E Bardon

Leith Bardon, 79, of Plattsburgh, NY, passed away peacefully at home April 12, 2022. She is survived by her daughters Stacy Liberati (Scott) and Tammy Eggert (Dennis), five grandchildren: Eric, Anna, Sam, Jake, and Finn; sisters Janet Fiero of Missoula, MT, and Linda Eldred of Titusville, PA; and her niece Megan Fiero-Reese (Don) of Missoula, MT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Nutrition Program, 45 Veterans Lane, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Visitation will be Friday, April 22, at Brown’s Funeral Home from 11-1, with a graveside chat afterwards.

The daughter of a steel mill worker and Sunday school teacher, Leith grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania whose only claim to fame is being the site of the first oil rig in America. Titusville afforded her all the amenities a young girl in the 40s and 50s could ask for: a community pool, bicycles, and a roller-skating rink. After graduating from Slippery Rock U with an education degree, Leith ventured north to the West Port area, where she was introduced to her soon to be husband, Ron Bardon. They fell in love and, at the end of a cold 1967 January, their marriage burned hot enough to endure three dogs, two cats, two mice, two birds, and two daughters (not in that order).

Having been raised by an independent headstrong, homemaker, Leith didn’t fall far from that tree. After teaching high school PE, Leith graduated to a career at SUNY Plattsburgh in 1965 as coach to one of Plattsburgh’s first women’s sports teams: women’s field hockey. Her life-long friend became the women’s coach in basketball that same year. In order for these new and innovative teams to work, the two teams had to share uniforms, as the AD didn’t have the funds for two women’s teams. As a result, the women’s basketball players wore the traditional kilts of the field hockey team. All this for a staggering $8,000 yearly salary.

Things didn’t remain in the dark ages at SUNY Plattsburgh with Leith walking the halls. From her corner office of Memorial Hall, she spear-headed many opportunities for her students. She implemented and officiated over the swim program and saw hundreds of young men and women earn Red Cross Certifications. She organized the first intramural program on campus and advised the college’s rugby team. As she moved away from coaching and into the Department Chair’s position, she never stopped being a student herself. As the internet’s presence grew, so did Leith’s desire to remain current in her field. She created the first website for her department and refused to retire until the Fitness and Wellness Leadership Major she helped create passed. Her legacy lives on in the foundations she established almost 57 years ago.

As a mother of two daughters, she lives in them as well. She let them run barefoot and feel their way in this world, always there to lend a hand when needed. She always listened, never judged. As a grandmother, she was there for all her grandchildren – loving them all equally and unconditionally. As a friend, she was there with wine in hand, ears open with good advice. Her presence will be missed, and her love will be felt in the hearts of her family and friends.

Leith is predeceased by her husband, Ronald Bardon.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.