WATERTOWN, NY — Verna I. Leuze, 98, of Watertown, passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2018, at Hospice of Jefferson County.
Calling hours will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown. The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the funeral homewith Rev. Gail Parsons presiding. Burial will folow in Lakeside Cemetery, Sackets Harbor.
Born May 31, 1920, in Watertown, daughter of Ford and Lanah Knight Percy, she attended both Holy Family and St. Patrick’s Elementary Schools and was a 1938 graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy.
On May 16, 1939, she married Richard J. Fisher in LaFargeville and the marriage ended in divorce. She married John E. Leuze on May 3, 1951 in Ocala, FL and Mr. Leuze died Dec. 3, 1982.
She was the head bookkeeper for Smith’s Meat and Poultry Market, Watertown for a time. She then began her 36 years of service to Calavo Growers of California, Sackets Harbor, first as an office worker and retired as supervisor. While working for Calavo’s, Verna was part owner with her sister, Erma, of the Harbor Light Restaurant at Bronson’s Marina and also worked at Bachner’s Sackets Inn.
She was a former communicant of St. Andrew’s Church, Sackets Harbor and its Altar and Rosary Society. She was a life member of American Legion Post 1757 Ladies Auxiliary. Verna was a former member of the Parent Teachers Assoc. in Sackets Harbor, the Sackets Harbor Fireman’s Auxiliary, and was both a Girl and Boy Scout Leader. She also served as a nanny for several children in Sackets Harbor.
She enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards, and following politics.
She was an avid Bingo player, and follower of Syracuse basketball and football and the NY Giants.
Verna is survived by her three children, Sharon A. Crescenzi and husband, Rocco S., Watertown, Dennis G. Fisher and wife, Della, N. Las Vegas, NV, and David A. Leuze and wife, Sandra, Sackets Harbor; stepson, John “George” Leuze and wife, Peggy, Summerfield, FL; former daughter-in-law, Dawn DeBadts, Sodus; 17 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Along with her husband, Verna was predeceased by her son, Gary E. Leuze; two daughters, Sandra J. Fisher and Marlene E. Leuze; a grandson, Corey Fisher; and four sisters, Erma Signor, Norma Brooks, Florence Townsend, and Doris Percy.
In lieu of flowers, her family wishes donations in her name to either Upstate NY Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Suite 900, Rochester, NY 14620 or Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Online condolences to her family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com.
