RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Olga H. Leslie age 83 of Church Street, passed away on Monday December 17, 2007 inMary ImogeneBassett Hospital,Cooperstown. She had the comfort of her loving family at her side.
She was born on December 10, 1924 in Endicott, daughter of the late George D. and Mary Barna Heffner. Olga was raised in Endicott and was a graduate ofUnion-Endicott High School. where she graduated Suma Cumlada. She continued her education at Ithaca Collegewhere she excelled in athletics and graduated Suma Cumlada. While at Ithaca College, her exceptional athletic ability was high lighted when she was selected to appear on the cover of Life Magazine.
On November 26, 1947 she was united in marriage with Jack Taylor Leslie in Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Catholic Church in Endicott. A loving and devoted union of forty-five years, Mr. Leslie predeceased her on December 15, 1992.
In 1946 Olga came to Richfield Springs where she accepted a position as Physical Education Instructor with the Richfield Springs Central School System. She later became a guidance counselor at the school until her retirement in 1985 after thirty-three years of dedicated service.
Mrs. Leslie had a strong belief in God and was a member of St. Josephs Church, Richfield Springs. A sports enthusiast she enjoyed the game of baseball. In her younger years she played for the Binghamton Suns Womens Soft Ball Team. She distinguished herself, being one of the first female Little League Coaches. She coached Richfield Springs Little League in 1972 and 1973.
To her family she was always there for them. She cherished the many memories of watching her children grow and being involved with many of their activities. She was always happiest when she was surrounded by her many friends and family, especially her eight grandchildren. She will be truly missed.
Surviving are two sons and their wives, Robert A. and Deborah A. Leslie of Skaneateles, Peter S and Wendy Leslie of Sharon, CT, two daughters, Joan Greer and her husband Ronald and Laurie DeJohn all of Richfield Springs, four sisters, Julia Drankowski of Endwell, Vera Mordia and her husband Sam of Ocala, FL, Ann Martyanik of Cary, NC, Irene and her husband Edward Michaels of Endicott, eight grandchildren, Jacob Leslie, Taylor Leslie, Jessica Leslie, Janelle Leslie, Daniel Greer, Colin Greer, Jacquelyn Leslie and Robert Leslie, three sister-in-laws, Mary Leslie of Springfield, VA, Susan Berry of Canandaigua, Elizabeth Focer of Atlanta, GA., several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her patents and husband Jack she was preceded in death by her infant son Jack Frank Leslie, two brothers, Michael and George Heffner, two sisters, Helen Manning and Mary Fuller.
Funeral from J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, RichfieldSprings will be on Friday at 10:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am in St. Josephs Church Richfield Springs. The Reverend Terence Healy will officiate. Interment will take place in St. Josephs Cemetery next spring. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 until 8:00 pm. As an alternative to flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Richfield Springs High School Athletic Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.