Published: 8/16/04

PERU — Trudy Ann LaHart, 56, of John Boswell Road, Peru, died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Trudy was born in Plattsburgh on Oct. 8, 1947, the daughter of the late James and Jeanne (Lucy) DiFulvio. She attended D’Youville Academy in Plattsburgh and graduated in 1965.

Trudy met the love of her life and best friend, Thomas P. LaHart in 1966. They wed on April 7, 1967, and celebrated 37 years of marriage. Together they provided their family and friends with a true example of love and commitment.

Trudy most recently retired as the director of the Caregiver Resource Center with Behavioral Health Services North. She was known in the senior-citizen community for her monthly column in the Senior Sentinel. She had similar responsibilities at both the Burke and Malone Adult Centers in Franklin County while living in Chateaugay for 14 years. Trudy herself was honored as the "Caregiver’s Caregiver" in Clinton County in 1998. She also provided care to infants at CVPH Medical Center’s Swan Nest Day Care Center and was instrumental in starting the "Little School" in Chateaugay. Trudy spent nearly every day of her life caring for others — from family members to complete strangers, she provided unconditional love and compassion.

Trudy was the guiding light and shining star of her family. She was always just a phone call away to meet everyone’s needs. She was an incredible cook, and one of her greatest joys was putting on spectacular dinners for no occasion at all. Trudy stood by her family, supporting their every accomplishment, every decision and every choice.

Trudy spent many years as a "soccer mom," and was a devoted and favorite sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She was never without her camera in hand and most recent photos of her family to share.

Trudy is survived by her husband, Tom, and their three extremely grateful children: Linda Johnston and her husband, Kevin, of Morrisonville; Thomas "Chip" LaHart and his wife, Heather, of Peru; and Laura LaHart of Plattsburgh.

An infant daughter, Tracy Lynn, predeceased Trudy in 1968.

In 1995, Trudy became a grandmother for the first time. Grandmothering would prove to be, by far, her greatest joy and most fulfilling role. She touched the lives of her three granddaughters in a way no one else ever will. The love and admiration Jaelyn Helen, Micalli LaHart and Ada Evelyn have for their "Grammie" will last throughout their lifetimes.

Trudy is also survived by her siblings, Donna St. Germain of Queensbury; and Debbie DiFulvio and James DiFulvio, both of Plattsburgh. Her "like-brothers" cousins Jim Murray of Peru and Gil Murray of Plattsburgh; and her special nephew, David St. Germain of Fort Ann also survive. Two brothers-in-law and their wives, John and Donna LaHart, of Lake Clear; and David and Valerie LaHart of Panacea, Fla., as well as several nieces and nephews also survive.

Calling hours will be held today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru with the Rev. William Reamer, chaplain of CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery./

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Trudy’s name to Morrisonville Elementary Grandparents Day Fund, 47 Sand Road, Morrisonville, NY 12962.

A special thank-you goes to all the family members and friends who have supported Trudy and her family throughout her illness. Your love, compassion and kindness are greatly appreciated.

MOOERS — Loretta R. Blondo, 68, of Mooers passed away Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born Oct. 2, 1935 in Champlain, the daughter of James and Vina (Boilard) Chevalier. She married Lawrence Blondo April 27, 1956. She was also an avid bingo player.

Loretta is survived by her husband, Lawrence; two sons, Scott and Julie Blondo of Champlain and Todd and Catherine Blondo of Altona; two daughters, Kathy and James Carey of Champlain and Kelly Blondo of Mooers; her stepmother, Louise Chevalier of Rouses Point; two brothers, Robert and Valeria Chevalier of Lebanon, Pa., and Maurice and Pam Chevalier of Cathedral City, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Mandy Carey Butler, James Carey, Erin Blondo, Ryan Blondo, Trevor Blondo, Jayson Blondo, Jenna Blondo and Taylor Blondo; as well as several nieces and nephews.

There will be no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Church in Champlain. Donations in her memory may be made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation or the American Cancer Society. There will be a reception following the Mass at the VFW Post 1418 in Champlain. Arrangements are with the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain.

POESTENKILL, N.Y. — George M. Raymond, age 89, husband of Edna G. Wood Raymond, died on Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 at his residence.

Born in Dannemora, he is the son of the late Michael and Hattie Osher Raymond. He attended school in Standish and worked as a stove tender at Republic Steel in South Troy for 32 years, retiring in 1974.

He was a longtime communicant of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Wynantskill, N.Y.

Survivors in addition to his wife include his children, Neil W. Raymond of West Palm Beach, Fla., Keith M. Raymond of Palm Springs, Calif., Gail S. Raymond of Ballston Spa, N.Y., Lynn Raymond of Albany, N.Y. and Brian J. Raymond and Gard R. Raymond, both of Poestenkill. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by three sisters and four brothers.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mr. Raymond’s Mass of Christian Burial at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Wynantskill on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Burial will follow on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Church of the Assumption Cemetery in Redford.

Arrangements are by the Thomas S. Connolly Funeral Home, Wynantskill, N.Y.

LORETTA M. MUSSAW, 57, of Mountain Spring Road, Mineville, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, in Mineville.

She was born in Middlebury, Vt., on Nov. 20, 1946, the daughter of Frank and Ella (Wheeler) Mussaw.

There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are with the Harland Funeral Home.

DR. WILLIAM L. LADUE, 87, of 31 Lorraine St., Plattsburgh, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center.

He was born in Plattsburgh on March 13, 1917, the son of William H. and Alice E. (Hagar) Ladue.

Calling hours and funeral arrangements are incomplete at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home.

To contact the Press-Republican, Phone: (518) 561-2300 or send mail to:
Press-Republican, 170 Margaret St., P.O. Box 459, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Copyright 2004, Plattsburgh Publishing Co., Plattsburgh, NY,  Division of Ottaway Newspapers, Inc., Campbell Hall, NY. The information you receive from Press-Republican Online is protected by the copyright laws of the United States. The copyright laws prohibit any copying, redistributing, retransmitting, or repurposing of any copyright-protected material.