Miss Leona Root, 96, of Waterville, passed away Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Harding Nursing Home. She was born September 5, 1913, in Tupper Lake, one of 13 children of the late John and Lenora Oixoire Root. As a young girl, along with her family, she came to Oriskany Falls. She was a graduate of Oriskany Falls High School and the Excelsior School of Business in Utica. For 20 years, Miss Root was employed as a legal secretary at Rome Air Base, retiring in 1962. She was a member of St. Joseph''''s Church, Oriskany Falls. Miss Root is survived by four nieces and their husbands, Nora and Donald Penner of GA, Shirley and David Hamm of Oriskany Falls, Carol and Clement Grawe of PA and Sherry and Herman Bast of MI; a special niece, Mary Dudley of FL; many great nieces and great nephews; special friends, Sandy O''''Herien, Carol and Norm Tower, Joan and Joe Barnes and Eleanor Petrie; as well as many other friends. She was predeceased by six sisters and six brothers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10:30 am at St. Joseph''''s Church, Oriskany Falls. Interment will be in St. Joseph''''s Cemetery. A calling hour will be held Wednesday, at the church, one hour prior to the Mass. Arrangements are with the Kloster-Northrop & Bentz Funeral Home, Waterville.