Kathryn Ford Leigh
Kathryn Ford Leigh of Saranac Lake died at CareOne Redstone in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Kathyrn “Kay” was born on May 20th, 1931, in Irvington, New Jersey, the daughter of Marie (DiGiacomo) Ford and William Ford. She attended UVM in Burlington, Vermont, where she met her husband Warren Leigh. They were married on July 2, 1951. After a few years of living in New Jersey, Warren went on active duty in the U.S. Army. Much of their life was spent traveling to various U.S. and European military bases. Kay raised their four children while Warren was in the military. When the kids were older, Kay worked in retail and later in the hospitality industry.
While in Europe, Kay developed an interest in cooking and took cooking classes in Florence, Paris and Munich. Kay and Warren made many long-lasting friendships while in Europe. And of course, they loved traveling throughout Europe during their many years there.
Eventually, Warren retired and they settled in Saranac Lake. Kay liked to read, knit and crochet. She also had a lifelong passion for sewing and shopping. Kay was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity in Saranac Lake, where she served for many years on the church council.
After Warren passed, Kay moved into Will Rogers in Saranac Lake, where she spent many happy years enjoying all the social activities and making new friends.
She is survived by her daughter Kathryn Steinbrueck and her husband Roger Steinbrueck of Saranac Lake; her son Warren Leigh and his wife Regina of Springfield, Massachusetts; and her son-in-law Steven Frazier of Winsted, Connecticut. She is also survived by her grandchildren Sean Steinbrueck (Cari), Steve Frazier (Amy), Michelle Hintz (Ken), Gabriel Chircop (Matt), Nick Leigh (Alanna) and Madeleine Leigh (Steve), as well as great-grandchildren Kenny Hintz, Savanah Hintz, River Frazier, Coral Frazier, Oscar Chircop and Zeke Chircop, and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband Warren Leigh and her daughters Pamela Frazier and Donna Leigh.
There will be no calling hours, and the family requests that no flowers be sent. A private graveside service at Saratoga National Cemetery will be scheduled at a later date.
Kay’s family wants to thank CareOne at Redstone in East Long Meadow, Massachusetts, and New England Hospice for the tender care they gave her at the end of our mother’s life.
Please raise a glass of prosecco and toast Kay Leigh in fond remembrance of her extraordinary life!
Memorial donations may be made in Kay’s name to: New England Hospice, 190 Old Derby St, Suite 304, Hingham, MA, 02043, and the Lutheran Church of Saranac Lake, 136 Main St, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.