Marie Leon

East Greenbush- Marie D. Leon, age 86, died Feb. 3, 2016, at Daughters of Sarah Nursing Home in Albany, N.Y., following a long illness. Marie was born Ruth Marie DuBois in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to Hugh and Ruth Orr DuBois. She was raised primarily in Claverack, N.Y., and graduated from Hudson High School in 1947. She majored in home economics at Russell Sage College before marrying Walter T. Leon in December 1949, at the Dutch Reformed Church in Claverack. Walter and Marie lived in Emporium, Pa., and Manlius, N.Y., before settling down with their family in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1956. Marie was an avid golfer and tennis player for many years at the Pittsfield Country Club. She enjoyed playing bridge, quilting, vacationing at Lake George, and spending time with her family. She was a communicant of the First Congregational Church on Park Square in Pittsfield. In addition to her husband, Walter, Marie is survived by her four children: Laura OBrien and her partner Timothy Bezler of Fairfield, Conn.; Linda and Trevor Paul of Chatham, N.Y.; Lesley Spinnicchia of Niskayuna, N.Y.; and Stephen Leon of Albany, N.Y. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Evan and Kylie Paul; Michael Spinnicchia; and Denis, Jackson, Harrison and Farrell Leon. Marie also leaves behind a cousin, Dr. Leslie DeGroot, and his wife Helen, of South Dartmouth, Mass., as well as many longtime friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Edward and her son-in-law Robert Spinnicchia. The Leon family wishes to thank the staff of the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center and of the Eddy Alzheimer's Center at Hawthorne Ridge for their care of Marie in her final months. A memorial service celebrating the life of Marie Leon will take place at W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave, Rensselaer, N.Y. on Friday, Feb. 12 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Planned Parenthood or the Carter Center.