Ruth Joyce (Leggett) Borden

Huletts Landing-Ruth Joyce Borden, 88 years old and better known as Rudy, Grammie, or Granny, left us on Friday, January 25, 2019 after a brief illness.  Ruth was the youngest daughter of Harry and Anna (Pike) Leggett.  This kind, gentle soul will be greatly missed by her friends and family. 

Rudy was a lifetime resident of the area, born in Whitehall on July 20, 1930.  She resided in Huletts Landing for 65 years with her husband of over 70 years, Francis.  Together, they raised their family in "The Little House" on Lands End Road before moving to their lake house in the early seventies.  She was well-known and loved by all who knew her.  She could often be found feeding the ducks with a group of children on a warm summer day or helping them to fish off of their docks.   Rudy worked in the Huletts Landing and Whitehall Post Offices for many years.  Grammie weighed many Huletts babies on the old antique scales at the Huletts Post Office.  It was a rite of passage for new babies to be brought in for a weighing! Ruth was an avid gardener and seamstress/quilter for many years prior to her failing health.  She was a knitter and a crafter.  What she could do was nothing short of amazing!  She made many quilts and outfits for her family and friends.  Many children in Whitehall were the recipients of hats and mittens she so lovingly knitted, in working with the Elks.  She was very proud of her father's military service and supported Whitehall American Legion Post 83 in her younger days.  She also belonged to the Dresden Homemakers for many years.  Rudy loved to read, and could often be seen on the front stoop of her home with a good book in her hands.  Ruth was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother.  Many Huletts residents will remember her cooking meals for the neighborhood kids in the little house on Lands End Road.  She was quite well-known for her spaghetti and meatballs!  Grammie touched the lives of so many people in so many wonderful ways.  She was always ready and willing to help someone out, her kindness and gentle ways will be missed by all.  To the end, she was always more concerned about taking care of others than she was concerned with taking care of herself. 

Besides her parents Ruth was predeceased by two sons - baby boy Robert and Francis Jr.  She was also predeceased by her siblings, Harriet Jones, Evelyn Leggett, Jane Gordon, and Marshall Gordon.

Rudy is survived by her husband, Francis Edward Borden, of Huletts Landing, her two children:  her son, William 'Bill' Borden and his wife, Marilyn, of Huletts Landing and her daughter Terry Burke and her husband Tom, of Albany, New York.  Also left to cherish the memory of a very special 'Grammie Dear' are her grandchildren:  Billie Jayne Borden of New York City, and William Francis Borden and Huletts Landing, Kathleen 'Katie' Borden of San Francisco, California, and Kelly Borden of Colorado.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to express a special thanks to all of the wonderful caregivers who touched her life in the past few months.  Your kindness and compassion will not be forgotten. 

At her request, there will be no calling hours.  Anyone who would like to honor her memory may make a donation to either the Isaac C. Griswold Library 12 Williams Street, Whitehall, NY 12887 or to the Backpack Program at the Whitehall Elementary School (Whitehall Central School, Post Office Box 29, Whitehall, NY 12887).  This program provides food to children in need within the school district.  Grammie loved kids and she loved to read - she knew the true value of both! 

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