Mary Gordon Leggett

MARY GORDON LEGGETT Plattsburgh Mary Gordon Leggett, born October 18, 1917, eldest daughter of the late Ernest C. Gordon and Jane Halligan passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at CVPH in Plattsburgh, joining her loving husband of 62 years, Harry J. Leggett. Her sister Jane and brother Robert preceded her in death. She was 90 years old. Mary is survived by her 4 children, Harry Leggett of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Frank Leggett of Los Angeles, California, Judith Leggett/ Houchins of Plattsburgh, New York, Jane Matusiak of Ogden, Utah and her sister Charlotte "Jimmy" LeClerc of Westchester, Pennsylvania; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grand children; also many extended family members and friends of all ages. A career librarian, she worked for the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System for 25 years, retiring as head of adult services, with responsibilities including selection of all adult fiction and non-fiction acquisitions. She instituted and edited "The Trailblazer", a monthly newsletter that was circulated throughout the New York State Library System and ultimately to countries in Europe and the Middle East. Upon retirement, she served as a member of the library's Board of Trustee for 14 years including a two year term as chairperson of the board. Prior to her tenure at C-E-F, Mary was librarian at Champlain Valley Hospital School of Nursing in Plattsburgh, New York. She was exceptionally active in the community during and after her years at the C-E-F Library, serving on countless committees including: Clinton County Board of Ethics, Council of Community Services, the local board of the American Diabetes Association, Clinton County Historical Society, the Adirondack Committee, and the C-E-F Employees Union. She was a member of the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union and served 2 terms as Treasurer for the Public Section for the New York State Library Association. She worked on the Plattsburgh Bicentennial Committee in 1985 for which she wrote a historical pageant, a hand-written copy of which is stored in its Time Capsule. She was one of four co-authors of "Clinton County: A Pictorial History" and was listed in the 1974 edition of Who's Who of American Women. Mary was particularly gratified at being presented with the prestigious Richard Lawrence Award for outstanding library services to the people of Clinton-Essex-Franklin Counties. She also took special pride in the establishment of the Mary G. Leggett Award which is presented annually to a trustee or director who has give stellar service to a library in the system. Mary graduated as valedictorian of her 1935 class at St. John's Academy in Plattsburgh. Though she subsequently continued her formal education by taking select courses at various colleges she was fundamentally self-taught after high school. She was a voracious reader and a spirited debater. Her friends, people of all ages, found that she was a true autodidact: she knew more then most people about almost everything¦except sports--- and she could be thoughtful, engaging, irritating, cutting or warm depending on the circumstances. She had a wonderful sense of humor and self-deprecating wit. Reciting poetry, limericks and quotations were second nature to Mary and never ceased to amaze those who knew her. Though Mary spent most of her life in New York State, primarily in the North Country, she traveled throughout the world in her reading---averaging 10 to 12 books a week up until shortly before her death. She was a pragmatic political activist, describing herself as a Democrat with respect to national politics and, "as appropriate", locally. She was a terrific public speaker almost to the end of her life, making presentations at local colleges on behalf of Meadowbrook Health Care to encourage students to read to other nursing home residents. She celebrated a festive 90th birthday with family and friends last October, an event which she said "would give her a chance to see everyone for one last time." Mary's motto and one that she wanted everyone to adopt: "The only thing free in life is your library. Take advantage & Read, Read, Read!" Calling hours will be Wednesday June 18, 2008 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Brown Funeral Home, Inc., 29 Broad Street Plattsburgh, New York. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm with Rev. William G. Reamer, Chaplin at CVPH Medical Center officiating. A memorial mass will be held on September 13, 2008 at 11:00 am at St. John's Church in Plattsburgh. Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Online condolences maybe made at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be made to Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library or the American Diabetes Foundation in care of Brown Funeral Home 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.