Marie P. McLenithan (Royal), 82, of Nunnawauk Meadows in Newtown, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 22, 2022, at Regional Hospice in Danbury, Connecticut, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born on November 11, 1939, in the town of Cambridge, New York, she was the daughter of the late Gertrude (McGeoch) and Aldor Royal. Marie graduated from Cambridge Central School in 1957. Over the years, she recounted many tales of growing up on the only farm at the time within the Village of Cambridge, which was on Pearl Street next to the Rice Seed Company. Marie fondly recalled the companionship of her English shepherd “Frenchie” and her beloved horse “Lady.” During her school years, Marie was one of the early members of the Cambridge Saddle Club, where she enjoyed participating in Gymkhana events with Lady.

In her professional life, Marie served as an office and accounts manager for a wide variety of employers. Her work was always interesting, as it ran the gamut from the office of Judge Dewell in Salem, N.Y., to working for Josephine Bryce at Mill River Stud Farm in Cambridge, N.Y., to United Counseling Service in Bennington, Vt. When she moved to Connecticut, she worked at Nyala Farm in Easton, Conn., owned by Ruth Bedford, then for the Marketing Corporation of America in Westport, Conn., and finally she was employed by G&G Distributors in Stratford, Conn., until her retirement in 2006.

Marie enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life and especially in retirement. She was famous for her extraordinary green thumb and was often called upon to resuscitate plants for her neighbors. Marie was also known for the deliciousness she could create in the kitchen, especially her baked goods and fudge. She loved cooking for and with her grandchildren in particular. She loved animals, learning history, reading, classic country music, and fast cars. She especially enjoyed sharing jokes, playing cards, and a good chat with close friends over a cup of coffee. Above all, her greatest love was her family. She was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Edmund Royal and John “Jack” Royal, and her sister Rita (Royal) Thygesen. She was also predeceased by close friends: Connie Baron, Bonnie Peters, and Mary and Hudson Bubar.

Survivors include her daughter, Ruth McCuin (James) of Cambridge, N.Y.; her son, Christopher McLenithan (Sandra) of Cambridge, N.Y.; her daughter, Amy Merecki of Salem, N.Y., her son, Patrick McLenithan (Peggy) of Cambridge, N.Y.; her son, Herb Hoover (Jeanmarie) of Redding, Conn; her grandchildren, Ashley McCuin, Grant McLenithan, Alex Merecki, Kiley Merecki, Carter Merecki (Hope), Kira McLenithan (Michael Vecchione), Samantha McLenithan (Jon Habich), Morgan McLenithan (Carlos Alvarez), Wyatt Hoover, and Josie Hoover; her great-grandchildren, Zoë and Bodhi Vecchione and Wren Habich; a special niece, Kathy Ericson of Ocala, Fla.; and many beloved relatives and friends throughout upstate New York and beyond. She leaves many friends at Nunnawauk Meadows, Newtown Deli, Newtown Senior Center, and “Hot Topics,” all of Newtown.

Her family would also like to thank special friends Marie, Rose, Bill, Betty, and Brian.

At Marie’s request, a Celebration of Life will be held this summer with family in Cambridge, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marie’s memory may be made to Regional Hospice at makingthebestofeveryday.org.