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Mildred "Millie" LeClair Obituary

Mildred "Millie" LeClair Obituary

Millie - Mildred Gladys Bosley LeClair - arrived 107 years ago on July 6,1915 in Altona, NY, the first born child of Fred and Anna LaBarge Bosley.

Born on a farm without electricity, Millie and her brothers, Percy and Clifford took a horse and wagon to school every day, sending the horse to return home on his own. Millie often credited her remarkably long and healthy life to her mother's garden and fresh, homegrown food and the horseradish spring tonic she prepared.

Millie survived the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic, and having COVID, twice.

She married her husband, George Edward LeClair in April, 1931. Their only child, daughter Joyce, joined them in August, 1932.

Millie and George loved to travel and visited Joyce and their five grandchildren wherever they were stationed with the military. George passed away unexpectedly in 1968, leaving Millie a widow at 53. Despite some serious suitors, she never remarried.

Millie was always a "people person." She managed Pearl's Department Store in Ellenburg Depot from its early years until the stores closed in the late 60's. She went on to work at Magram's in Plattsburgh, and then at K-Mart. She loved clothes and jewelry and was always in high heels. She finally decided she was tired of driving the Turnpike and ready to retire, true to form, at well past the usual retirement age.

Millie loved her home and her yard, which was always full of lilacs, hollyhocks, blooming window boxes and lawn decorations for every season and holiday. Inside her little house was always dressed for every holiday. Millie loved cookbooks, and there is not a Jello salad that she didn't try.

After the devastating flooding of her little house in the Depot - twice - Mille moved to Breezy Acres, close to St. Edmund's Catholic Church where she was a life-long communicant. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, and was the last surviving charter member of the Catholic Daughters Court. Every day she said her rosary, and read her prayer book. She credited her health and longevity to her faith.

At 95, Millie decided that she was not going to renew her car insurance, and finally gave up driving. At the age of 99, she moved in with her grandson, Sandy, where he and Michelle cared for her until she decided that they were leading too boring a life and decided to move to Meadowbrook where "there were always activities and people her age." She spent the next seven years at Meadowbrook where she passed surrounded by love and the care of family and staff on the evening of Oct. 6, 2022.

Millie was predeceased by her parents, Fred and Anna Bosley, her husband, George E. LeClair, her daughter Joyce LeClair Tolosky, her brothers, Percy and Cliff Bosley, and her grandson, Paul Tolosky II, as well as innumerable family members and friends.

She is survived by her grandchildren, Kim and Lee Sanger of West Chazy; Bob and Diane Tolosky of Jacksonville, Fla.; Sandy and Michelle Tolosky of West Chazy and Todd and Lynn Tolosky of Mooers Forks; five great-grandchildren, Juleah, Peter, Jennifer, Jeffrey, and Emily; seven great-great-grandchildren, Ashley, Julianna, Emma, Jordan, Travis, Claire and Henry. She is also survived by her "family" at Meadowbrook Healthcare in Plattsburgh; they provided loving care everyday. They were there with respect, kindness, love and amazing care right to the final moments. There are not enough thanks and kind words for these amazing, dedicated people.

From a farm without electricity to FaceTiming with great-great-grandchildren halfway across the country, Millie had an amazing, inspiring life. She loved life and people and always found the positive side of things. We are grateful to have had her in our lives, and she will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rabideau Funeral Home in Ellenburg. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. in St. Edmund's Church in Ellenburg. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.rabideaufuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the Rabideau Funeral Home, 5614 Route 11, Ellenburg, N.Y.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mildred "Millie", please visit our floral store.

Millie - Mildred Gladys Bosley LeClair - arrived 107 years ago on July 6,1915 in Altona, NY, the first born child of Fred and Anna LaBarge Bosley.

Born on a farm without electricity, Millie and her brothers, Percy and Clifford took a horse and wagon to school every day, sending the horse to return home on his own. Millie often credited he

Published on October 10, 2022

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