Obituary of Leita D Rigsbee

Leita Rigsbee, of East Greenbush, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 2, 2018 at Albany Medical Center after a long illness. Mrs. Rigsbee was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y. September 27, 1933, the second child of the late Leslie and Dorothy (Sayles) Dragoon. Leita grew up in Sciota, N.Y. and graduated as valedictorian in 1952 from Mooers Central High School. Leita married Richard Rigsbee on August 30, 1952 at the West Chazy Wesleyan Church. Leita worked for the Olsen Temp Agency for several years before working and retiring from the New York State Teachers Retirement in 1991. Leita was known for her avid love of family, feisty and adventurous spirit, and crafting ability. Leita loved the ocean, traveling and camping and was an active member for over 50 years of the Yankee Doodle chapter of the National Campers and Hikers Association. Leita was an accomplished baker of wedding cakes, creator of hand crafted items, and loved incorporating music into all aspects of her life. She was also an attendee of the Albany Wesleyan Church. Survivors include her children, Mark (Julie) Rigsbee of Coopersville, N.Y.; Leslie (Raymond) Sambrook of Niverville, N.Y.; Joel Rigsbee and Cheri Pierce of Wynantskill, N.Y.; six grandchildren, Jason (Gloria) Rigsbee, Justin Sambrook and Katie (Chris) Gay, Alisa, Erin and Ryan Rigsbee; three great-grandchildren, Taylor, Braidyn and Madison Rigsbee; one brother, Robert Dragoon and two sisters-in-law, Elisabeth Holmes and Kathryn Rigsbee. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Leita is pre-deceased by her husband, Richard Rigsbee and brother, Leslie "Skippy" Dragoon. Relatives and friends are invited to attend call on Friday, January 5 from 4-7 p.m. with a service following immediately after at 7 p.m. at the Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Tpk, Rensselaer, N.Y. 12144. The internment will be in the Dragoon Family Cemetery in Sciota. The family has requested those who wish to make memorial contributions donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org).