Elizabeth Balcom

Elizabeth “Bobbi” “Arisaweh” Balcom (Rourke), age 58, of LaFargeville, NY, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2008 at the House of Good Samaritan in Watertown, NY from heart failure.

Elizabeth was born February 11, 1950 in Watertown, NY, the daughter of Lawrence “Lince” Balcom and Mary Elizabeth (Hunt) of Clayton, NY.

She was a former resident of Akwesasne and was known to many by ‘Arisaweh’. She married Larry J. Rourke of Akwesasne in 1971 at the St. Regis Mission Church, that marriage ended in divorce.

She was a graduate of Clayton Central School and attended North Country Community College in Saranac Lake and Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY.

While a resident in Akwesasne, she worked at the American Legion Post 1479. She enjoyed fishing in the Akwesasne area and playing cards with the many friends and families that she became acquainted with. ‘Arisaweh’ and her family often spent summer weekends at the swimming quarry; this is one of her children’s fondest memories while they all lived in Akwesasne together. ‘Arisaweh’ always cherished her time in Akwesasne and treasured her friendships and connection here. ‘Arisaweh’ always looked forward to her visits to Akwesasne in the years following her departure from the community and has always held a dear place in her heart for the many people she met and grew to love from Akwesasne.

She is survived by her mother, Maryliz Balcom of Clayton, NY, by her four children and their spouses, Joanna Balcom and her partner Susan Diggs, Virginia Beach, VA, Lawrence “Buck” Cook and his companion Yolanda David, Akwesasne; Margaret “Maggie” Rourke and her husband W. James “Jamie” Bay, Akwesasne; and Arif and his wife Tracie Rourke of Syracuse, NY, by four grandchildren Sarah (Cook) and her husband Brian Furgeson, LaFargeville, NY, Viola Ieianerahsta Rourke, Akwesasne, Samuel Ian Rourke, Syracuse, NY, Evelyn Katsitsiakatste Bay, Akwesasne, by one great great son Maesin Phillip Ferguson and by her long time companion Robert Lauderville, LaFargeville, NY and his five sons. She is also survived by 5 siblings, Theresa Wright, Edward “Huck” Balcom (Kathy Prouty) of Cape Vincent, NY, Beverly (Raymond “Pat” Morisey), Joeseph (Maria) Balcom, Elieen “Urch” (Harry) Slate of Grindstone Island, NY. and by many nieces, nephew and cousins.

She was predeceased by her father Lince Balcom in 2004.

Calling hours start Friday, November 7, 2008 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Cummings Funeral Home in Clayton, NY until a Catholic Funeral Mass on Saturday November 8, 2008 at 11am, presided over by Father Chris Carrera at St. Mary’s Church in Clayton, NY.