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Leila Ferguson Marquit, 73 yrs. old of New Berlin, NY passed away on July 23, 2017 in Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown surrounded by her loving family.

Leila was born on June 19, 1944 in Cooperstown, NY the daughter of Burt & Faye (Gavette) Ferguson.  Her childhood was spent in Davenport Center where her family owned and operated Ferguson Grocery Store.  She attended Charlotte Valley Central School until her senior year when her family moved to Phoenix, AZ where she attended, and later graduated from Central High School.

On October 7, 1962, Leila married D. Paul Marquit, the love of her life, in the Davenport Methodist Church, Davenport, NY.

She was employed by the Stanford Bakery in 1962 and Victory Markets from 1963 until 1975 where she was the produce manager and the assistant manager of the Morris location.  In 1975 Leila & Paul opened the New Berlin Marquit Supermarket where she worked day and night.  In 1977 they opened the Morris Marquit Supermarket and a few years later they opened Easy Way in Richfield Springs.  They also purchased & managed the New Berlin recreation Lanes in the late 70’s.  Her last 15 years were spent working at the Unadilla Valley Central School tutoring children in need.  Her passion was making a difference in these children’s lives.

She was very proud throughout the years, that she was able to take classes at Morrisville Extension at the Norwich Campus.  She also enjoyed architectural work, laying out plans for house additions and store projects.  When not preparing at home for her students she also enjoyed putting puzzles together and playing games on her I-pad however, the thing Leila enjoyed most out of life was spending time with her family.  Her proudest achievement was her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren.  The family was blessed to be able to share a family vacation to Myrtle Beach in June.

Leila was very involved in the Town of New Berlin’s bi-centennial celebration.  She was also involved with the New Berlin Youth Days, receiving the citizen of the year award in 1995 and the New Berlin Rotary, receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award.  She was also an honored life member of the New Berlin Fire Department Auxiliary.

In addition to her husband Paul, Leila is survived by her children; Michelle Persons of Charleston, SC, Debbie & Joe Gould of New Berlin and Terri & Keith Cross of Surprise, AZ, grandchildren; Jennifer Barker, Todd (Kristin Winn) Gould, Megan (Joseph) Stokes, Kristyn (Dave Christian) Gould, greatgrandchildren; Kendall Leila, Jakob Robert, Harland Earlene Gould, Kameryn Lee Stokes and baby Christian due in August.  She is also survived by her honorary daughter Terry Convis who loved Leila like a daughter loves her mother.  Her caring, loving support exemplified what family is all about.  The family finds comfort in knowing that their Mom is in heaven with her dearest friend, Mary Becker.  Leila was also predeceased by her parents Burt & Faye Ferguson and her brother, Gary Ferguson.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Dakin Funeral Home LP, New Berlin, NY.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 3:00 PM at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, New Berlin, NY with Pastor Richard Anderson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to NBT Bank in New Berlin, NY in memory of Leila to be set up as a scholarship in her name for seniors graduating from Unadilla Valley Central School.