Wilhelmina B. Leahy, of Fonda, passed away peacefully at the Wells Nursing Home on November 7, 2013. She was born in Amsterdam, N.Y., on January 20, 1917, the daughter of the late William and Petronelle Paciunas Bluvas.
Wilhelmina is a graduate of the former Fort Plain High School. She then attended the Keuka College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She went onto the University of Pennsylvania to earn her master’s degree. She worked for over 33 years for the Sheltering Arms Agency in New York City, where she was a supervisor of child welfare, adoption and foster care.
Upon her retirement, she moved back upstate, spending a few years in Amsterdam, then moving to Fonda in 2003. Wilhelmina always cared for the welfare of others. She was a volunteer for Hospice for 13 years. She enjoyed the company of her cat, spending time with her family, quilting, making stained glass and cooking gourmet meals.
She was predeceased by her husband Thomas J. Leahy. Wilhelmina is survived by a sister, Clara Mitchell; nephew, Stanley (Cindy) Mitchell; a niece, Lorna (William) Quinn; and great-nephews.
Family and friends are invited to join a service of remembrance on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at 1 p.m. at the Fonda Reformed Church, Broadway in Fonda. Contributions may be made to the Montgomery County SPCA or the Frothingham Free Library.
Please visit the family’s online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.
