Mary T. Leimbach

SOUTH PARIS — Mary Theresa (Palladino) Leimbach passed away Sunday, Feb. 12, at Market Square Health Center.

She was born Sept. 8, 1920, in New York City. Mary attended St, Mary’s school in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., and Central Needle Trades High School in New York City, where she developed lifelong interests in art, fabric design, knitting and sewing.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Briand of Wells; and four children and their spouses, Gemma and Dennis Dreher of Bethel, Suzanne Del Sarto and Marty Strauss of Carson City, Nev., James Leimbach of Providence, R.I., and Greg and Lydia Leimbach of Readfield.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Xenia (Oracz) Palladino; and her sister, Helen; her brother, Joseph; her sister. Christine; daughter, Christine; and grandson, Shaun Morrill.

Grammy is greatly loved and cherished by her 11 surviving grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who will forever remember her generous spirit and magical home filled with toys, books, curiosities and homemade objets d’art spanning generations. The family will also fondly recall many games of hearts played at her dining room table while sampling various styles of hats, as well as her effortless ability to produce a gourmet meal for the masses seemingly out of thin air.

Mary was employed by Chance Vought Aircraft in Stratford, Conn., during World War II and enjoyed a career with AT&T, retiring in 1992. While single-handedly raising a family of five in Shenorock, N.Y., Mary was very active with the United Owners Association there. She supported its success with fundraising and social activities such as dances, movies and craft fairs during its heyday as steward of that hamlet’s clubhouse and lakeshore beaches. Family, friends and neighbors there will fondly recall many pieces of fine furniture emerging from beneath decades of neglect and paint as she carefully restored and refinished treasures found at tag sales hither and yon.

After retirement, Mary moved to Bethel and finally had time to pursue her lifelong interests in writing and painting through her participation with the Senior College there. She made fast friends as a card shark with the Bridge group, enjoying their company and lunches at the Sudbury Inn. She delighted in traveling with her sister, Marge, and entertaining all with stories of their escapades with Elder Hostel throughout the United States and abroad.

Mary was a person of profound faith and a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Croton Falls, N.Y., and Our Lady of the Snows in Bethel.

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