Milada A Legere (Kozak)

Milada A. LeGere (nee Kozak), 86, died peacefully, December 4, at the LeGere Family home in Rotterdam, surrounded by her loving family. Born March 12, 1931, in Schenectady, Mickey - as she was lovingly called by family and friends - was one of two children of the late William and Marie Kozak. Mickey was a 1948 graduate of Draper High School in Rotterdam. Mickey was passionate about her Czech heritage speaking the languageand training at the Sokol Hall in gymnastics from a young age. In High school, she took part in gymnastic meets in Binghamton, New York City, Cleveland, and the Czech Republic. While raising nine children, Mickey was an integral part of the congregation of the Immaculate Conception Church in Schenectady, where she designed and hand-made liturgical banners that hung behind the altar. She was also the first female reader in the parish, and a member of the parish council and Rosary Society. During the summer Mickey volunteered and worked at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs. Mickey and her husband were instrumental in developing the Hudson-Mohawk chapter for the National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Foundation, and they promoted awareness of SIDS on the national level for more than 30 years. Mickey was also a key reason why the historic Proctor's Theatre is still a Schenectady icon today. When it was about to be shut down Mickey was part of the original group that helped save it. A devoted and loving mother, Mickey is survived by: her son, Frank of West Valley City, Utah; son, Timothy of Ballston Spa; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and John Newton of Durham, N.C.; son, Vincent of Schenectady; son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Alicia (Dorr) of Schenectady; and son and son-in-law, Marty and Andy Jamison-LeGere of Portland, Ore. Mickey is also survived by nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mickey was preceded in death by her husband Frank LeGere, her husband of 59 years; daughters, Monica and Terri; son, Paul; and sister, Ethel. Mickey's strength and generosity made a positive impact on anyone with whom she came in contact. She was well loved and will be dearly missed. A celebration of her life takes place Saturday, December 9, 2017, 12:00 pm. at Bond Funeral Home 1614 Guilderland Avenue Schenectady. Visitation is from 11:00-12;00 at the funeral home In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donating in memory of Milada LeGere to: Raleigh Dance Theatre, P.O. Box 33691, Raleigh, NC 27636. Please write Frank and Mickey LeGere Costume Fund on the memo line. You can also donate to a charitable organization of your choice.