SHERBURNE – Leah Smith Dexler of Sherburne, New York, died at University Hospital in Syracuse on May 24, 2010.
Born in Sherburne on Jan. 11, 1924, she was the oldest daughter of Gertrude Howard and Edwin P. Smith. She grew up on the family farm at the south edge of the Village of Sherburne. She graduated from the Sherburne Central School in 1941, St. Faith’s Preparatory School in 1942 and Cornell University in 1945.
On Jan. 12, 1946 she married Henry P. Drexler. A year later they moved to Smyrna where they operated a large dairy farm known as Sandy Acres, until 1977. She and her husband, “Hank” built and operated the Smyrna Stock Car Raceway and the Sandy Acres Campsite. They also held auctions on Friday nights at Drexler’s Auction House in Smyrna and conducted farm and home sales throughout the region for many years. From 1957 to 1969 Mrs. Drexler was the School Lunch Manager for the Sherburne-Earlville School District.
In July of 1969, she began a new career working for the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Chenango County, first as the Home Economics Program Leader and then as County Coordinator from 1978, until her retirement in 1980. She was the first woman to hold the later position, following in the footsteps of her father who had been the first Chenango County Extension Agent. During her tenure at Cooperative Extension she helped establish several programs that continue to benefit people of all ages throughout Chenango County such as the Chenango Housing Improvement Program, Inc. (C.H.I.P.), the Chenango County Office for the Aging, and the 60 Plus Nutrition Program. She also researched and wrote a Cornell Cooperative Extension bulletin on the use of microwave ovens, titled “Think Microwave.”
Mrs. Drexler was active in many civic and professional organizations. In 1975 she became the first woman appointed to the Board of Directors of NBT Bank, NA. She was the first Chairperson of the Chenango Housing Improvement Program, Inc. and served on its board for many years. She also served on the board of directors of the Pratt-Newton Memorial Home and was the first woman elected to the position of Senior Warden at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Sherburne. She was a member of the Chenango Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, the BOCES Child Care Advisory Committee, the Chenango County Inter Agency Council and a lifetime member of the Chenango County Historical Society. She served on the Area Agency On Aging Nutrition Advisory Council and the Regional Extension Community Resource Development Committee and was a member of the Zonta Club of Norwich, the James Madison Chapter of the DAR, the National Association of Extension Home Economists, the Delta Gamma Sorority at Cornell and the Extension Honorary Society-Epsilon Sigma Phi.
Mrs. Drexler was an avid bridge player. She enjoyed camping, travelling, bowling, bingo and an occasional round of golf. When younger, she also enjoyed boating and horse-back riding. At home she was neat and ran a tight ship. Everything had a place and was expected to be there. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to work hard and pursue their dreams wherever that might take them, as long as they were happy. Ever the organizer, she could be counted on to oversee any and all family activities and events, large and small. Her siblings describe her as the first among equals because she usually led the way.
Mrs. Drexler is survived by her three children and their spouses: Anita (Porter) and Henry J. Drexler of Norwich, NY; Marleah (Drexler) and Richard MacDougal of Houston, TX; and Pauline (Brooks) and Edwin S. Drexler of Fabius, NY; six grandchildren: K. Leah MacDougal, Charles David Drexler, Paul Edwin Drexler, Emily Olsenwick, Renee Christine Drexler and Travis John Drexler; and three great grandchildren: Wyatt Drexler, Bryce Drexler and Sarah Olsenwick. Also surviving are her sisters, Charlotte Moore, Jean Browne, Marie Alden and her brother, Howard Smith and many nieces and nephews. Her husband predeceased her in 2001.
A memorial service to celebrate Mrs. Drexler’s life will be held at the Episcopal Church in Sherburne on July 10 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception at the Parish House. Her friends, colleagues and neighbors are welcomed to attend.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Box 538, Sherburne, NY 13460.