IN MEMORIAM

Leila Ferguson Marquit, 73; Ran

Groceries In New Berlin, Morris

NEW BERLIN – Leila Ferguson Marquit, 73, who operated Marquit Supermarkets here and in Morris, passed away on July 23, 2017, in Bassett Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Leila was born on June 19, 1944, in Cooperstown, The daughter of Burt and 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, Ariz., where she graduated from Central High School.

On Oct. 7, 1962, Leila married D. Paul Marquit in the Davenport Methodist Church.

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 and 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 and managed the New Berlin recreation Lanes in the late ’70s.  As a tutor at Unadilla Valley Central School for 15 years, her passion was making a difference in her students’ lives.

She was very proud throughout the years, that she was able to take classes at the SUNY 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 and 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, S.C., Debbie and Joe Gould of New Berlin and Terri and Keith Cross of Surprise, Ariz.; grandchildren Jennifer Barker, Todd (Kristin Winn) Gould, Megan (Joseph) Stokes, Kristyn (Dave Christian) Gould; great-grandchildren 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 and Faye Ferguson and her brother, Gary Ferguson.

Calling hours will be 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Dakin Funeral Home LP, New Berlin.  A celebration of her life will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, New Berlin, with Pastor Richard Anderson officiating.

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