WILMINGTON — Kathleen Kilburn LeClair, 89, died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at CVPH Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 1, 1923, in Wilmington, N.Y., a daughter of the late Abram and Lillian (Hughes) Kilburn.
She married Ralph G. LeClair, Aug. 10, 1946, in Wilmington, N.Y. She is survived by three sons, Robert LeClair and his wife, Louise of Poughquag, N.Y.; David LeClair and his wife, Barbara of Coventry, Conn.; Gregory LeClair and his wife, Veronica of Upper Jay, N.Y.; one daughter, Karen Coolidge and her companion, Robert Dewyea of Mineville, N.Y. She was Granny K to nine grandchildren, 16 great -grandchildren and the newest addition to the family her new great-great-grandson. She will be missed and remembered by several nieces and nephews as well as many close friends. She will also be remembered by her brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Walter and Mary LeClair of Altamont, N.Y.; Lola Holt of Salisbury, N.C.; and Jack and Rita Bastian of Elizabethtown, N.Y.; In the last several years she has been the loving companion of Maurice Fletcher of Wilmington, N.Y. and Titusville, N.J. She is predeceased by her husband ,Ralph and ten siblings; five brothers, Ulysses, Basil, Roosevelt, George, and Hughes and five sisters, Irene, Veryl, Marion, Susan, and Lillian.
She was a 1940 graduate of Lake Placid High School. She held many jobs over the years; the Wilkins Agency in Lake Placid, N.Y., a bank teller and a welding apprentice in Holyoke, Mass., a telephone operator and a cook at the Burger Barn at the Land of Makebelieve in Upper Jay, N.Y. and will be remembered as the librarian at the Wells Memorial Library in Upper Jay for 21 years. She was a founding member of the Upper Jay Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She loved nature and was an avid bird watcher She loved to read and play cards and was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends. She was loved by everyone and would never speak badly about anyone. She loved to go for midnight rides for coffee and a slice of pie with her sisters and visiting cemeteries around the region.
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 9 pm Monday, Oct. 15, at the Whiteface Community United Methodist Church in Wilmington, N.Y. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Pleasant View Cemetery also in Wilmington.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wells Memorial Library. Arrangements are in the care of Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home, 3 College Street, AuSable Forks, N.Y.
