Obituary of Dorothy A. Blenis

SURPRISE – Dorothy A. Blenis, age 96 years, 1 month, 19 days, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at St. Peter’s Hospital after a short illness. Dorothy was born March 27, 1917 in the town of New Baltimore, a daughter of the late Homer J. and Ada L. Pierce Palmer. Dorothy was a Greenville Central School graduate with the class of 1935. She married Gordon Blenis on November 21, 1937, celebrating 58 years of marriage at the time of his death on February 19, 1996. She was a longtime resident of Surprise. Dorothy was a member of the “Greenville Maroons”, an adult women’s basketball team coached by the late Don Mabee. She was a waitress in many of the local boarding houses, starting at age 13 and retiring at age 75 from Ingalside. Dorothy lived life to its fullest, retaining her sharp mind and sense of humor throughout her life. She was an active member of the Greenville Local History Group, as well as a member of the Hilltown Senior Citizens. One of her favorite things to do was drive her homebound friends to meals at Hiawatha Grange – something she did until only a few months ago. Above all, she loved her Lord and Savior, and served him actively as a member of the Grapeville Baptist Church. Dorothy leaves five children, Beverly McKeone of Southbury, CT, Dennis Blenis (Linda) of Surprise, Barbara Quigley of Warwick, RI, Barry Blenis (Bonnie) of Surprise and Bonnie Blenis of Rochester; a beloved sister, Martha Vance of Greenville; 15 grandchildren (including Darla VanEps, deceased), 23 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be Friday, May 17 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville. The funeral will be Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. at the Grapeville Baptist Church, 2416 Route 26, Climax. Burial will follow in Greenville Cemetery. Memorial donations to the New Faith Family Center at the Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202 will be appreciated. Light a candle at ajcunninghamfh.com.