MARY (LEDDY) ABAIR BURLINGTON — On Tuesday, August 26, 2008, Mary Elizabeth (Leddy) Abair passed away at the age of 89, with her loved ones close by. Her love for them and her unfailing charm and wit made her departure seem very natural even though we all loved her so dearly. She was a special lady and will be greatly missed by all those who knew her. Mary Elizabeth was born in Burlington, on April 4, 1919, to George Albert “Bert“ Leddy and Helen “Nellie“ (Collins) Leddy. She attended Mount St. Mary's Academy in Burlington. As a child, she spent afternoons at her father's ice cream parlor and, as a teenager, she spent summers camping with friends on Mallets Bay. The close friendships she formed during those years remained and flourished throughout her life. After graduating from high school, she attended Burlington Business College and worked at Abernathy's Department Store. In 1935, she met Leo Abair and after seven years of courtship they were married on April 13, 1942, at Christ the King Church in Burlington by Leo's brother Reverend Edward Hebert. Mary and Leo raised their family of nine children at homes at Fort Ethan Allen and Charlotte Street in Burlington where all friends and neighbors felt welcomed. During those years she found time to serve as Grand Regent of the Catholic Daughters, play bridge regularly, and travel with her “lady friends“ to New York City and Maine. The family moved to Broadlake Road in Colchester in 1973 and established a winter home in Tarpon Springs, Fla., in 1982. Mary and Leo generously hosted many events at both locations for family members and friends. She especially enjoyed following the careers of her talented family, attending musical events up until a week ago. Mary is predeceased by her parents, Bert and Nelly Leddy; and her dear cousins, Jackie Perrault Howley and Gertude Toales Quinn, as well as many other relations and in-laws. Mary leaves her devoted husband of 66 years, Leo R. Abair; and her children, Alan Abair and his wife Lucy, John Abair and his wife Betty, Robert Abair and his wife Betty, Marilee and her husband William Cain, Chris Abair, Carol Abair and her husband Joseph Ketcham, David Abair, Mark Abair and his wife Sam, and Philip Abair and his wife Julie. She also leaves fifteen adoring grandchildren: Brian Abair and his wife Michelle, Molly Abair and her husband Dan Marchessault, Michael Abair and his wife Lisa, Heidi Randall and her husband Ben, Lee Abair, David Cain and his wife Sandra O'Flaherty, Annie Cain and her fiancé Chris Kenny, Carrie Abair, Casey Abair, Matthew Ketcham, Ben Abair his wife Lisa, Ashlee Abair, Mark Abair Jr. and his wife Katherine, John Abair, and Heather Abair. She will also be missed by her seven great-grandchildren, Emily, Camden, Owen, Lucas, Michaela, Dylan, Lydia, and Kalvin, and her close friends Jane Allen, Jan Barrett, Elizabeth Sheehey, Viola Bove, and the Quinn and Howley families. Mary enjoyed a long and happy life, spending her time doing the things that she loved to do. She will mostly be remembered for her beautiful smile, her keen sense of humor, her ability to connect with people, and for the love she bestowed upon her family. Visiting hours will be on Friday, August 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main Street, Winooski. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 30, at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Colchester. Interment will follow at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to the Visiting Nurses Association, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester VT 05446. E-mail condolences may be sent to lavignefh@comcast.net.