Presque Isle, Maine - Leila Cary passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026, at Leisure Village in Presque Isle, ME. She was born September 15, 1932, in Castle Hill, ME, to Jim and Mary (Kennedy) Richardson. She was predeceased by them, ten brothers and sisters, their spouses, and several nieces and nephews.

Leila was educated in Washburn schools and earned a certificate from the Chicago School of Interior Design. She married her lifelong love, Dwight Cary, in February 1949. They built their life together in Washburn, raising two sons. Leila worked in the grocery store she and Dwight ran in Washburn for six years, and for Currier Furniture in Caribou. Leila had an eye for beauty, and started her own interior decorating business, furnishing draperies and other fabrics to discerning homeowners throughout northern Aroostook County. In her later years, Leila took up oil painting, and her family treasures the pastoral scenes she created. A gifted gardener, Leila's flowers were a pleasure to behold around their small house on McManus Street and later at the house on Main Street in Washburn where she and Dwight lived for nearly 50 years. Leila delighted in visits from her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 77 years, Dwight; their son, Michael and his wife, Jane, of Amherst, MA; son, Robert and his wife, Nora Bird, of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, William Cary (Ella) of Erdenheim, PA, Katherine Sandak (Steve) of Hadley, MA, and Patrick Cary (Jenn) of Norwell, MA; and great-grandchildren, Samuel Cary, Thomas and George Cary, and Henry, Hope, and Mary Jane Sandak of Hadley, MA. Leila is also survived by several nieces.

She was exceptionally devoted to her family, caring for both her in-laws and sister-in-law in their final years. Leila found strength for this work and all of life's challenges in her strong Christian faith. The Reverend Ken Phelps remained a true friend to both Leila and Dwight in their final years - supporting their efforts to practice when church attendance was no longer possible, as did friends, Mike and Betty Ireland, and the Reverend Jim Ackerson.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated and exceptionally kind staff of Leisure Village, where she and Dwight moved in March 2023. Deep thanks go, too, to Stephanie and Ryan Umphrey, long-time neighbors of Leila and Dwight, who performed many helpful tasks for them. Leila was lovely inside and out, and her memory will be treasured by all.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Crouseville Cemetery. Arrange-ments in care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at

duncanlancaster.com.