Mary Elizabeth Balcom

Mary Elizabeth Balcom, age 86, of Clayton, NY passed away Friday, January 24, 2014.

Mrs. Balcom was born in Alexandria Bay on March 28, 1927, daughter of Joseph Harold and Elizabeth Hill Hunt. She attended schools in Clayton, NY and married Lawrence C. “Lince” Balcom on October 2, 1948. He predeceased her on August 26, 2004.

She had worked as a clerk at River Rat Cheese Store, Clayton and at Sea Mist Marina, Boynton Beach, FL.

Mary Elizabeth was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church, taught religious education classes, and sang at many funerals. She was also a member of the Community Choir. She was a member of both the Knights of Columbus and American Legion Auxiliaries, and had been a Girl Scout Leader and on the Voting Board.

She was co-founder of Clayton Meals on Wheels program. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, singing, Bingo, boating, and was the River Mail Boat operator for several years.

She is survived by her five children, Teresa “Terry” Wright and husband, Stephen G. Bull; Edward “Huck” Balcom and companion, Kathy Prouty; Beverly Morisey and husband, Pat; Joseph Balcom and wife, Maria; and Eileen “Urch” Slate and husband, Harry. She is survived by thirteen grandchildren, including Joanna Balcom of Virginia Beach; Lawrence William “Buck” Cook and Yolanda David of Akwesasne and their children, Sarah Cook of Clayton, NY, Nikaronhiasa and Teharonhiatenies Shilling of Akwesasne; Margaret “Maggie” Rourke Bay and W. James “Jamie” Bay and children Ieianerahsta Rourke and Katsitsiakatste Bay of Akwesasne, Arif and Tracie Rourke and children Sam and Ben Rourke of Syracuse, NY, also by seven great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild, Maesin Cook Furgeson of Clayton, NY. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Elizabeth “Bobbie” Balcom Riedel, 2008, a grandson, and two brothers.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at St. Mary’s Church in Clayton at 11am. Burial will be in the Grindstone Island Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to St. Mary’s Church, 521 James St., Clayton, NY 13624. Online condolences to the family may be made at http://www.cummingsfuneral.com.