Reta Lee Dupont

Reta Lee DuPont, 93, passed away Friday afternoon February 21st. She passed peacefully, at home, with her daughter by her side.

Reta Lee was born in Lowell, Mass on March 7, 1931, to the late Charles and Viva White. She was also predeceased by her beloved sister Kerry Ann Williams.

After graduating from Draper High School, in Rotterdam, NY, Reta Lee went on to Albany State Teachers College where she graduated Cum Laude and went on to receive her master’s degree from Oneonta Teachers College. Her love for teaching lasted her entire lifetime.  She taught elementary school with the Mohonasen schools for 26 years, before retiring, and she taught Sunday school at Rotterdam United Methodist Church for nearly 50 years. She married her husband Donald in 1952.  They eloped just before Donald was to be deployed during the Korean war.  They were married for 64 years until Donald’s passing in 2016.

Reta Lee was an avid reader who vowed to read a book a day after retiring and continued to read every day.  She also loved a good riddle or pun no matter how silly.  She especially enjoyed sharing them with her niece Kerri-Lynn every morning over the phone.

Being active at 93 was essential for Reta Lee, she enjoyed her exercise class at the Rotterdam Senior Center and the friendships that she formed with the people there. She also remained active in her church, and she cherished her church community.

Reta Lee’s greatest love was her family.  There was nothing that she would not have done for them.

She is survived by her children Kenneth J. DuPont (Patricia) of Elkton, VA and Donna-Kay Diehsner of Rotterdam.  She was predeceased by her oldest son William C. DuPont (Suzette) of Amsterdam. Reta Lee is also survived by her granddaughters; Leanna DuPont (Nick), Kaleena Travis (Damon), Melissa Byrne (Patrick) and Kaitlyn Diehsner (Nick). She also had nine great grandchildren: Natalee, Starra/Valerian, Evelyn, Alianna, Alan, Dean, Rayne, Zareena and Isabella.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday March 16th at 12 noon, at the Rotterdam United Methodist Church, 1915 Helderberg Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12306.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Online condolences may be left for Reta Lee’s family at www.bondfuneralhome.com