Marie Taves passed away peacefully on February 7 after several months of declining health. She began her life under unusual circumstances. Snowbound in upstate New York after an early spring blizzard, Esther Knowles and her husband Theodore Tibbals had no choice but to head off to the nearest hospital in a horse-drawn sleigh. They didn’t make it and the young mother gave birth to her first-born daughter outdoors, somewhere on the road halfway between Preble and Cortland, NY. Marie jokingly claimed that she was cold ever since. When she was four years old the family returned to the family home in Eastham where she remained until marrying Anthony Leonard and moving to Provincetown in 1950.
Marie was a caring, patient mom to her three daughters from her first marriage – Susan Leonard, Candace Leonard and Carol Leonard. An accomplished seamstress, she dressed her children on a tight budget. She loved to bake and there were always homemade Toll House cookies waiting for an after school treat. Marie also was a talented painter and took classes from James Wingate Parr for several years. She also made the “paper” for her beagle field trial success. Sponsored by the Highland Rod & Gun Club, the field trials took place in the dense underbrush surrounding the Provincetown Airport. She was the only woman in the competition and her dog “Lady” was unbeatable, much to the chagrin of the other entrants.
During her tenure at Seamen’s Savings Bank, Marie made many dear friends among her co-workers and clients. Everyone seemed to know Marie. She was forced to retire when she went into kidney failure and subsequently had a transplant with a kidney that she received from her sister Lucy Ott. Marie was given a new life, beat the odds and enjoyed another 21 years of life. Unfortunately, just a few weeks after her transplant, she lost her second husband Marion “Rocky” Taves. Marie became a “West Ender” when she married Rocky. She was a fixture on Montello Street, welcoming the newcomers to the neighborhood and giving a home to numerous stray cats over the years. Marie never considered herself to be sick and kept a busy schedule – never missing a party, especially the annual costume party with her Park Service friends. Often the only woman invited, her delicious potato salad got her A-listed to Brad Fowlers annual summer party.
Marie was predeceased by her husband Marion “Rocky” Taves, her daughter Candace Leonard Enos. her sister, Esther Reed and brother, Fred Turner. She is survived by her daughters Susan Leonard and her partner Rosemary Hillard, and daughter Carol Leonard LaDuke. She is also survived by her sisters Lucy Ott and Frances Francis and her brother Ted Tibbals. Marie adored her grandchildren – Matthew Enos and his wife Janine, Aaron Enos and his wife Krista and Mia LaDuke, as well as her great granddaughter, Camille Enos. She had a special place in her heart for Joe Andrews.
A memorial graveside service will be held this spring at Evergreen Cemetery in Eastham.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in her name to the Silva Ataxia Foundation, c/o Seamen’s Bank, PO Box 659, Provincetown, MA 02657 or to CASAS Animal Shelter, PO Box 1374, Provincetown, MA 02657. Also, please consider being an organ donor.