Mariam LeBaron

Mariam LeBaron

October 30, 2021

Mariam Elaine (Sanderson) LeBaron, 91, former resident of Fredonia, N.Y., died Oct. 30, 2021, in Wichita, Kan.

She was born Sept. 13, 1930, in Fredonia, N.Y., to parents Donald V. Sanderson and Eileen M. (Lilley) Sanderson.

She graduated from Fredonia High School and attended Allegheny College and The University of Buffalo, earning a bachelors degree in anthropology and sociology.

She married her high school sweetheart, Bruce LeBaron, in 1952 and they raised two children. The family moved from Fredonia to Whitefish Bay, Wis., then to Williamsville, N.Y., and in 1967, moved to Wichita, Kans., where Bruce was employed by Koch Industries.

Mariam returned to school and earned her Masters of Education from Wichita State University in 1971. She taught elementary school for 20 years in the Andover School District, teaching first grade, eventually becoming a teacher in the Gifted Student Program.

She and her husband have attended First United Methodist Church in Wichita, for many years. Mariam enjoyed traveling, reading and researching family history and was active in P.E.O., United Methodist Women, the Daughters of the American Revolution, various genealogical societies and was an avid supporter of Cottey College in Nevada, Mo.

Survivors include her husband, Bruce LeBaron (Wichita, Kan.); daughter Pat (Redmond, Wash.); son Jim (Brenda) LeBaron (Valley Center, Kan.); sister, Donna (Sanderson) Carlson (Forestville, N.Y.); nephew, David (Margie) Carlson (Fredonia, N.Y.); and niece, Wendy (Al) Miller. (Oaklawn, Ill.)

Memorials to support women’s education can be sent to P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund, peointer national.org.

Private interment with family members will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia.