Patricia Mahoney Blackler, 84, of Skaneateles, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, at her home surrounded by family.
Born to Daniel Patrick and Jeanette Lemoine Mahoney on Dec. 29, 1934, in Haverhill, MA, Patricia graduated from Haverhill High School in 1952. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Following graduation, Pat worked as a chemist for Eastman Kodak in Rochester. While in Rochester, she met Walter Hazard Blackler III at a YMCA ski event for young singles. They were married in Haverhill in February 1960. They lived in Cambridge, MA and West Hartford, CT, eventually settling in Skaneateles in 1965. She had five children.
Pat worked as a real estate agent in Skaneateles for 28 years, where she developed a deep appreciation for the village and its history, which shaped her community service for many years. She was appointed by the mayor of Skaneateles to serve as the village historian in 1996. She proudly served in this position for 16 years, under four mayors. As historian, she enjoyed helping people with genealogy research and educating the community about the rich history of Skaneateles. She served on the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission as a member and the chairman. She was active in the Skaneateles Historical Society and was a docent and served on the board of the Creamery.
She was instrumental in the design and installation of section markers for Lake View cemetery and the roadside historical markers for notable sites on State, Genesee and Onondaga streets. She started the tradition of the “Historic Moments” presentations at the Skaneateles Village Board meetings. In 2012 her work was recognized by the Skaneateles Sunrise Rotary Club with the Paul Harris Fellowship given to a person whose life demonstrates a commitment to helping others in the community.
Pat was a communicant at St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church. She was active in religious education, shepherding many classes of candidates through confirmation. She was an inaugural member of the Parish Council on which she served for many years. She served as the parish librarian and on the Human Development Committee.
She was a proud member of the Leisure Hour Club. She belonged to the Skaneateles Garden Club, she performed in Skan-e-antics, she was a room mother and she was a skilled artisan in many crafts. She made beautiful clothing and taught all of her daughters to sew. At Christmas time, notwithstanding her five small children, she produced silk screened Christmas cards, decorated the tree with her own handcrafted ornaments, and constructed elaborate gingerbread houses.
Pat and Walt enjoyed sailing on Skaneateles Lake, and they were active in the sailboat racing community. They were members of Owasco Yacht Club, Skaneateles Sailing Club and Skaneateles Country Club. Pat enjoyed annual summer vacations in the Adirondacks with her extended family, where she climbed Mt. Marcy, Giant and Noon Mark. She prioritized spending time with her children and grandchildren, never missing a graduation ceremony. She enjoyed traveling, and she and Walt took each of their grandchildren on a special week-long trip during their nine-year-old summer. Pat was an avid bridge player, tennis player and an enthusiastic sports fan. She especially enjoyed watching Syracuse lacrosse.
Pat was pre-deceased by her parents, her brother, Daniel Patrick Mahoney Jr, and her son, Walter Hazard Blackler IV. She is survived by her husband Walt and their four daughters, Anne Marie Reynolds (Harris) of Houston, Texas, Ellen Blackler (Francis McNally) of Takoma Park, MD, Laurel Grow (Dan) of Farmington, CT, and Catherine Blackler (Derek Raymond) of Skaneateles; nine grandchildren, Rudy Reynolds (Buffin), Catherine Reynolds (Tony Zupancic), Nora McNally Reiff (Zach Reiff), Peter McNally, Patrick Grow (Tory), Stephen and Mary Kate Grow, and Caroline and Libby Raymond, and two great-granddaughters, Sadie Reynolds, and Penelope Zupancic. She is also survived by her two sisters, Janet Aliapoulios (Paul) of Freeport, ME and Maureen MacLeod (Ed) of Seattle, WA, and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Pat’s care givers, Hospice of the Finger Lakes, Marilyn O’Connor and Cheryl Seymour for their support over the last months of her life.
Calling hours will be held at Robert D. Funeral Home, Skaneateles from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28 at St. Mary’s of the Lake. Burial will occur immediately following at St. Mary’s cemetery in Skaneateles. Friends and family are invited to gather at the St. Mary’s Parish Center following the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Skaneateles Historical Society, 28 Hannum St, Skaneateles, NY 13152.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
