Leslie A. Kolodziey

She was born on Sept. 14, 1954 in Glens Falls to Wilbur Carpenter Jr. and Margaret (VanStrander) Carpenter.

She was a graduate of Shenendehowa High School and Oswego State University.

She is survived by her husband John; sons John (Allison) and Craig (Lauren); granddaughters Eva, Anya, Violet and Cecelia; sister Mary (David) Henry; brother Wilbur (Mary) Carpenter III; mother Margaret Carpenter; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She is reunited in death with her father Wilbur and four siblings, Craig, Amy, Derick and Stephen. All taken too soon, their reunion likely started with hugs, progressed to jokes and then some bickering, but certainly, in short order, transformed into a party.

She worked as a seventh-grade English teacher in the Central Square School District, but only for as long as she wanted. She enjoyed her dogs, reading, knitting, kayaking and, most especially, her grandchildren. Her green thumb was envied, and her baked goods always thoroughly enjoyed. She loved animals more than she’d liked most people, but if you were lucky enough to gain her favorable opinion, you would have found the genuine and caring person that those who knew her best will sorely miss.

A private memorial service will be held in the summer.

In lieu of flowers or memorial donations, be especially kind to a dog, look up the definition of a word you’re not sure of and take a nap.