Irene Kovach Leeds

Irene Leeds (nee Kovach) passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at home in Delmar, NY. Irene was born October 8, 1921, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, to Elizabeth Szucs and Stephen Kovach. She was 100 years old. Irene moved from Ohio to Staten Island as a young child. After her marriage to Austin Leeds in 1942 she lived on Long Island for more than twenty years. Subsequently she lived in Moravia NY, Fort Montgomery NY, Reston VA, and ultimately Albany NY. Over the years she worked as a librarian for the Oceanside Public Library, a secretary for Boosey and Hawkes music company, an office manager for Rockland County Counseling Services, a secretary at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and finally a beloved school librarian at St. Theresa of Avila catholic school in Albany. She retired from St. Theresa having worked well into her 80’s. Wherever she lived, Irene was an active member of her church. She volunteered countless hours to church groups and committees. While a communicant of St. Theresa of Avila she coordinated the religious services and trained the lay people who assisted in the services. Most recently she was a communicant of All Saints Church in Albany. Irene had a lifelong love of reading and valued knowledge and education. These traits were instilled in her children. She also loved music, musical theater, opera, ballet, and museums of all types. She enjoyed sewing and made clothes for her children, doll clothes and pillow and cushion covers. She was skilled in knitting, crochet, and embroidery. She knitted sweaters, blankets, mittens, hats and scarves for the children in her family as well as others in need. She had a green thumb and grew beautiful plants. Irene was predeceased by her husband, Austin Marshall Leeds (1918-1990), and two of her nine children, Christopher (1959-1962) and Daniel (1954-2005). She will be dearly missed by her children and children -in-law, Laura Leeds (Brian Matthews), Stephanie Leeds, Pamela Kayanan (Leslie Kayanan), Melissa Roberts (James Roberts), Peter Leeds (Terry Latier Leeds), Michele Bodine Leeds, Melanie Leeds, and Albert Leeds, as well as her grandchildren, Rebecca Matthews, Stephen Matthews, Daniel Christopher Leeds, Juliet Johnson (Will Hoffman), Christine’ Kayanan, Kristin Roberts Mandel (Benjamin Mandel), Joanna Leeds (Cameron Moltich), Taylor Leeds (Katie Leeds), Austin Howard Leeds, Melissa Smith (Zach Woodford), Daniel Siegel (Ariana Siegel), Christopher Carroll (Pamela Carroll), Katelyn Irene Carroll, Jennifer Leeds Vess (Nicholas Vess), Matthew Leeds, Michael Leeds, her great grandchildren Jasmine Burgos, Elias Nino, Rose Nino, Maia Mandel, Marshall Moltich, Mitchell Moltich, Miriall Moltich, Quinn Leeds, Austin Peter Leeds, Ethan Parker, Jonathan Vess, Ellison Rhys Woodford, her sister-in-law Anne Leeds Gregory and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 Or All Saints Church, 12 Rosemont St., Albany, NY 12203

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Irene Kovach Leeds

October 8, 1921 - March 17, 2022