MARY LEAHY HARRINGTON UTTER
Mary Leahy Harrington Utter, passed away on November 6, 2015 in Morrisville, NY. She was born in Vestal Center, NY on June 24, 1922 to John M. Leahy and Mabel Carlisle Lund Leahy. In 1942 she married Burr C., Harrington of Greene.
She graduated from Whitney Point Central School in 1938. She worked at the family farm, and Erickson’s Store in Upper Lisle, and volunteered in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II.
Burr and Mary farmed in Smithville Flats, NY and at Echo Lake Road in Greene, NY, retiring to McDonough where Mary served on the McDonough Town Board and as a substitute rural United States mail carrier.
In 1991 Mary married Clifford E. Utter and moved to Oxford, from whence she moved to the Chenango Valley Home in Norwich on January 1, 2014.
In 1983 Mary retired as Head Account Clerk at NYS Department of Corrections at Pharsalia after a career with New York State including the NYS Veterans Home Oxford, NY, State University of New York at Cortland, and the Workman’s Compensation Board, Binghamton, NY.
Mary is predeceased by her husband Burr Harrington as well as her husband Clifford Utter. She is also predeceased by her brothers and sisters – in –law Philip C. and Vera Pearce Leahy. Charles R. Leahy DVM, John Robert and Mary Gwendolyn Wheat Leahy DVM, Gerald F. and Margaret Tyler Leahy, and Daughter- in- law Diane Dillon Harrington.
Mary is survived by her daughter Dorothy Willsey-Dann (Norman) of Peterboro, NY and her son Byron M. (Marcia Briggs) Harrington (Norwich, NY: her sister-in-law, Nancy Plank Leahy of Whitney Point. She is also survived by her granddaughters and families with whom she had special relationships. Nell, Doug, and Andrew Glass. Gwen and Tom, Wesley and Ian Isbell, Shawn and Brian, Lake, Pierce and Sage Markham. Paige and Dominic, Piper and Tate Finnegan, Erin Pelletier and Matt Pelletier and Emma, and Abigail Pelletier.
Mary’s memberships included Fort Hill Post #376 American Legion Auxiliary Oxford, Chenango County Historic Society, C.S.E.A, Kelly Grange # 1301, McDonough United Methodist Church, Smithfield Community Association and Smithville Historical Society.
Mary enjoyed annual trips to the Outer Banks, NC and travels to visit family included Australia, Ireland, England, and Mexico. Mary was proud of her Irish Heritage. Mary was a sharp card player to the week before her death and knitted and crocheted until her recent hospital stays. Mary loved a good time, music, and dancing. A party to celebrate her life will be announced at a later date.
Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford on Thursday November 12, 2015 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. and Friday from 1:00 PM until the funeral service at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Oxford Emergency Squad, PO Box 172, Oxford or the McDonough Union Cemetery Association c/o Harvey Deforest, 1868 State Highway 220, McDonough, NY. Friends and family may share their memories and condolences by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.