Marian F. Lais

Marian F. Lais, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, her loving daughter and son at her side, at Eddy Village Green Cohoes. She was the daughter of the late Leonard and Marion (Rogers) McClure. Marian was the wife of the late Charles Lais Sr. They were married nearly 37 years here on Earth, but eternally in spirit.



Marian was born on Sept. 1, 1932 – Labor Day, that year – in Troy and was a lifelong native of that city until the last few years of her of her life. She was the fourth of nine children and the middle of five girls. She graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1950 and went to work at the Schenectady Depot in Rotterdam where she met her future husband. They both transferred to the Watervliet Arsenal, where he stayed until his retirement, but she eventually left to raise two children, a girl and a boy.



As her kids grew, Marian reentered the workforce, becoming a candy department manager at W.T. Grant's department store, known far and wide as "The Candy Lady." She later worked many years as an associate at Beman Park Pharmacy in Troy until her own retirement. Those last years together for Marian and Charlie were among their happiest. They grew even closer, inseparable on their local daily adventures.



Marian was proud to be from Troy and enjoyed pointing out the many, many places her ever-growing family had lived during car rides through the city. She would tell everyone she met, right to the end, how she was one of nine children, sharing detailed stories of her childhood and family members.



She had dreams unrealized which she remembered wistfully, but not with (too much) regret. She was not a traveler, in fact, never flew on a plane, though she often hoped to have visited her ancestral homeland of Ireland and the islands of Hawaii. As a young woman, she wanted to become a hairstylist, and as a wife and mother she thought of opening a candy store of her own, or starting her own cake decorating business.



She was devoted to her husband, as he was to her. They both loved to laugh, and no one could make her laugh more than him. As he became sick, she showed superhuman strength in caring for him, all while expressing doubt in her abilities. That was her way throughout life; never seeing the gifts and talents she possessed that were abundantly clear and awe-inspiring to everyone around her.



She was a fierce and tireless Mom (always Mom) to her two children, not just "showing up" when she was most needed, because she was never not there. The pride she took in even their smallest accomplishments was enormous, if embarrassing for them at the time. She was beyond loving and encouraged all their pursuits in life, even when she didn't fully understand them, maybe especially when she didn't understand them.



As special a mother as she was, Marian found her true life's calling, her reason for living, the thing that added an unknown number of years to her life when, at the age of 72, she became a grandmother for the first time. Her love and adoration for her two granddaughters, and theirs for their "Gia," was a heartbreaking wonder to behold. And the first, last and only topic of discussion with every person she came across.



Earlier in life, Marian was an avid bowler, playing in leagues with her husband, family members and friends. She was a bingo aficionado, mastering countless cards at a time, visiting venues throughout the area on a regular weekly schedule. She was a professional-level baker, revered for her annual pumpkin bread loaves and signature chocolate fudge, and her legendary chocolate chip cookies and award-worthy, sought-after ginger crème cookies.



She was a lifelong crossword puzzle master – ink only. She loved Hallmark movies and sending Hallmark cards, the New York Yankees, watching game shows and home shopping channels, Sag Harbor blazers in every color, the proper scarf and pin accessories, and Richard Gere. She was the best gift wrapper who ever lived. She prided herself on her elephant-like memory, her spelling prowess and her immaculate penmanship, forged in her Catholic school days.



Marian was the most gregarious and chatty person, able to converse – and converse … – with anyone, from any walk of life. She cornered people she hadn't seen in decades with self-satisfied smiles, daring them to remember her (She, of course, remembered everything about them). Despite her limited traveling, it was impossible to go anywhere without her running into someone she knew, even in places like Montreal, Canada.



Her friendliness and ability to put people at ease was as astonishing as it was effortless, even more so because she never recognized or acknowledged those skills in herself. She needed to make people happy, but to her it was just "what you did." She was tireless in making sure every card and gift was just right, every holiday was perfect, everyone was included and everyone got what was theirs. Hers was on the surface a quiet and simple life, but its impact and legacy on others is incalculable.



Marian was pre-deceased by her husband, Charles Lais, Sr.; her sisters, Jean Keville and Elizabeth Ann McClure; her brothers, Leonard McClure Jr., James McClure, Paul McClure and Walter McClure; and her friend, Theresa Miele.



She is survived by her children, Colleen Lais of East Greenbush and Charles Lais Jr. of Slingerlands; her cherished granddaughters, Sasha and Ruby; her sisters, Joyce Wilfore and Joan DeDeo; many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and relatives; and everyone who ever had the joy and privilege of meeting or knowing her.



Calling hours will be held at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy-Schenectady Road, Watervliet, New York on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at St. Mary's Cemetery, Troy, New York.



Marian's family would like to thank the wonderful and tireless staff at Eddy Village Green Cohoes and the hospice workers for making the last few years of her life happy, comfortable, safe and filled with caring.



In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations could be made in Marian's name to Shriners Hospitals for Children or any number of local, regional or national groups and organizations dedicated to autism.



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