Obituary of Helen T. Blackburn

Helen T. Blackburn of Wappingers Falls entered into rest on Sunday, July 31, 2016. She was 90. Daughter of the late James P. and Marie Halligan Cary, she was born on March 1, 1926 in Troy. She married the love of her life, James F. Blackburn, on April 17, 1949 in Schenectady; Mr. Blackburn preceded her in death, passing on April 29, 2001. Helen was born and raised in the Capital District. She worked for General Electric for several years, until she wed. She went on to lovingly raise her 9 children. As her children grew older, she went to work for Montgomery Ward in Poughkeepsie in the children's department. In her spare time, Helen enjoyed gardening, writing poetry and painting. She was an expert knitter and an avid bingo player; she never missed her weekly game at Mount Alvernia. In her younger years, she had the opportunity to sing and dance on Proctors Theater stage in Schenectady. She had even recorded a record in 1946. Helen was a devout Catholic, her faith was very important to her. She was a former member of St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls and a current communicant of Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel of St. Peter's Parish in Poughkeepsie. Most important in life was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and always put her family first; she was the best mom ever. Raising nine children devoted to God was her greatest ambition and achievement. Survivors include her nine children: Lynn A. Kovacs (Steven) of Raleigh, NC; Nancy E. Cornell of Hyde Park; Maureen Donnelly of Staatsburg; Diane P. Thorn (Brian) of Rochester; Carole J. Burnett (Kenneth) of Hyde Park; Annemary Schiavone (Joseph) of Hopewell Junction; Kathleen Cano of Rhinebeck; James G. Blackburn of Wappingers Falls; and Brian T. Blackburn (Melissa) of Ellenville. Beloved grandchildren: Scott, Tricia, David, Peter, Christina, Steven, Catherine, Kristy, Erik, Michael, Lisa, Dennis, Kevin, Andrew, Brianne, Adam, Carey, Benjamin and Miranda; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, James, she was predeceased by her brother, James Carey, and her sister, Lois Griffin. Family will receive their friends on Thursday, August 4, 2016 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel of St. Peter's Parish, 99 Inwood Avenue in Poughkeepsie. Interment will follow in the family plot at St. Mary's Cemetery, Wappingers Falls. Memorial donations may be made in Helen's name to Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231, Washington D.C., 20090-6231 or please have a Mass said in her memory at Our Lady of the Rosary of St. Peter's Parish. For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.