Obituary of Sidney L. Maxwell

On April 7, 2022 Sidney L. Maxwell passed on with her loving family surrounding her in Saranac Lake New York within a few miles of where she was born on November 10, 1921. Born to Ruth Marilla Morhous Leitch and Albert Joseph Leitch, she was raised by her mother in Lake Placid, NY until her mother's sudden death in 1928. She then lived with her father Albert, step mother Dorothy and half-brother Albert "Bert" Leitch in East Orange, NJ. In 1930 she returned to live in Lake Placid at the Lake Placid Club with her legal guardian Ruth B. Weed. She would always say growing up in Lake Placid was the perfect childhood. Sidney and her best friend Natalie Jubin were adventurers; skiing, hiking, wandering in the woods and all things required to support Natalie's dream of having a sled dog team. Sidney graduated from Lake Placid High School in 1939. She studied at the University of Vermont then transferred to the architectural program at The University of Colorado in 1941. She often relayed that when she returned from Christmas break most of the men did not return to campus having instead enlisted to fight the war. During Christmas break she had met a charming, handsome skier from Syracuse University who would become the love of her life. She first met John Maxwell while trying to retrieve his ski racers bib, having just completed his run and physically spent he was recovering lying on the snow. He described this moment as looking up and seeing an angel. The team coach Otto Schniebs said "for goodness sake let the man get his breath". They were married in Lake Placid at St. Eustace Episcopal Church on May 8, 1943 They were honeymooners at Tuckerman ravine. In 1945 they purchased "Camp" on Quaker Mountain in Wilmington, NY. This became known as The Ski Hut; headquarters for friends and family over time. Happily, the many camp traditions will be carried on by her grandson Tim Maxwell and wife Kristin. She raised four children while living in Wallingford CT, Bainbridge NY, Wilton CT and Granville OH. They started a small retail ski shop in their Wilton home, The Ski Hut which she grew into a local business and over time turning many residents into lifelong skiers. Once the kids were grown, she was able to travel around the world accompanying John on his professional Borden Company work. They also enjoyed multiple trips out west to ski and to Norway and Sweden for cross- country ski adventures. They retired to Wilmington, building a wonderful log cabin. Over the years Sidney enjoyed being in the woods identifying and understanding the natural worlds. Especially springtime sugaring and summer ferns and flowers. Under the tutelage of Dino Angelopoulos her athletic trainer for more than a decade she fine-tuned a shared passion for hockey and in particular the Boston Bruins. In her 90's Sidney moved to Saranac Village at Will Rodgers, she considered her apartment there to be her "forever home", taking great pride in her surroundings. She took up coloring, and "painted" many exquisite drawings. Many have been shared with her large circle of family and friends. Sidney especially enjoyed going on scenic drives where she shared her knowledge and love for the Adirondacks. Many thanks to all the Will Rogers staff and her aides for embracing Sidney in such a loving and supportive way. Making each and every day special. In 2012 Sidney lost her loving Husband John Walter Maxwell. She is survived by her son Thomas Maxwell, son John (Jack) Maxwell and his wife Linda Daughter Sally Maxwell Hess and her partner John Mitsock Daughter Peggy Maxwell Duran Turner and husband Alfred Turner. Grandchildren Timothy Maxwell and wife Kristin, Bradley Hess and wife Heather, Matthew Hess, Scott Maxwell and wife Abigail, William Maxwell and wife Tish, Desiray Duran, R.J. and Jenna Duran, Rico Duran, Jereme and Karla Duran. Sidney was also blessed with four great granddaughters and ten great grandsons. We all feel blessed knowing Sidney is at peace in her beloved Adirondacks. Calling hours will be held Sunday, April 10th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the M. B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home in Lake Placid, NY. A Funeral Service will be held Monday April 11th at 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Rev. Thomas Higman will officiate. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Upper Jay, NY. The family suggests in lieu of flowers relatives and friends please visit your local Blood Bank and donate "The Gift of Life". The generous donations she received made it possible for Sidney to spend more quality time with her family. If you are not able to donate blood, please make donations in her memory to the American Red Cross. The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake Placid, NY is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a memory or leave condolences. .