Mary Agnes Zell, age 89, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, Virginia.
She was born in Lakewood, New Jersey in 1933 to the late Hugo and Anna (Riester) Zell.
Mary grew up in Eddyville, New York, a small and idyllic town located within the foothills of the Catskills Mountains. Her parents, German immigrants, owned and operated a small hotel, which Mary and her siblings enjoyed assisting in the care of the guests. Her father, a renowned chef, was French trained and as such, the hotel was never short of guests.
Mary graduated from Kingston High School and later from the Albany School of Business. She began her career in New York City’s financial district and after marrying, worked at Benedictine Hospital in Kingston, New York. In 1972, the family moved to Franklin, New York, where she resided for the next 25 years. She worked as an executive secretary for Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin Central School and served as secretary during that time for the school board. Upon retiring in 1997, she relocated to her older daughter’s black angus ranch in New Hampshire to garden, farm, and help raise her three grandsons. In her later years, she snow-birded between Boston, Florida, and Virginia residing alternately between her youngest daughter and son.
Mary was an avid gardener with a love of nature and all things outdoors. She always enjoyed the hunt for the perfect antique and was a voracious reader. She enjoyed the culinary arts, especially baking, and was always looking for the perfect recipe. However, her greatest joy was any time spent with her grandchildren, whom she loved and adored.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Anna, and her brothers, Anthony, George, and her twin, Lawrence. She is survived by her children: John (Anne Hyzer) Leavey; Erika (Peter) Trapp; and Kathy Leavey; grandchildren: Daniel (Megan Yasenchak) Leavey; Peter (PJ), Cooper, and Tucker Trapp; and Megan Wrzenski; and great-grandsons: Luke and Zachary Leavey.
Interment will be private and held at a later date in Kingston, New York.
Condolences may be sent to: www.oldetownefh.com.
3 Responses
John, Anne and Family,
Our most sincere condolences for the loss of Mary.
Love, Sue & Dave Giudice
John, Erika, and Kathy, I am saddened to learn of your Mom’s passing. I enjoyed the time I spent with her while working at Franklin Central School. You Mom was kind, considerate and hard working. I always enjoyed her quick wit and sense of humor. May you find peace and comfort in the memories you shared together as a family.
John, Erika and Kathy and families, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have such wonderful memories of your Mom’s and my time together working and all the conversations we shared on our rides together to and from work. I hope you have wonderful memories too.