bear you on the breathe of dawn
make you to shine like the sun
and hold you in the palm of His hand."
Life isn't always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes, life is one damn thing after another. All you can do is hang on and pray that you survive to someday thrive.
That's where I'm at now. The story goes something like this:
Many many moons ago, I was active in the Travelers Choral Club. Altos have the most fun! One day at rehearsal I sat next to an older woman, who several people told me was not friendly and didn't really talk to people. I picked up my music and greeted her with a smile and said "hi." She introduced herself and we chatted until rehearsal started. I don't know what those people were thinking, this woman was wonderful! Over the next two or three rehearsals, I learned most of her life story, and What A Life! Don't ask me why, but she chose me as a friend and I have been blessed for the last 20-some years to be a part of her life.
Who was she? my friend: Helene
this is her obituary. It leaves out a bit. Like, she was a nun, in the order of Sisters of St. Joseph. She left the convent as it declined and made her own way in the world. To me, she never really left the convent, it left her.
Dr. Joan Helene Blakeslee, 91, of Vernon, peacefully passed away in her
sleep on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at her home with her beloved caregivers
by her side.
Born in New Haven on Nov. 14, 1930, a daughter of
the late Charles K. and Helen Z. (Dunn) Blakeslee, she had been a
resident of Vernon since 1981. Dr. Helene was a graduate of Waterbury
Catholic High School, Class of 1948 and St. Mary's Hospital School of
Nursing in Waterbury, Class of 1951, earning her RN degree. She went on
to earn her BSN in nursing in 1956 from the College of Mary Immaculate
in West Hartford, which was an affiliate of Catholic University,
Washington, D.C. She earned her MS in biology in 1960 from Catholic
University and her MD degree in 1967 from the University of Ottawa in
Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Helene did her internship at St. Elizabeth Hospital
in Brighton, Massachusetts and her residency in Internal medicine at St.
Francis Hospital in Hartford from 1968 to 1971 where she was the chief
medical resident in 1971. She had her own private practice for over 10
years in internal medicine before going to work at Travelers Insurance
Company in Hartford for over 12 years as assistant medical director and
medical director for Insurance Medicine. She was also a former member of
the Connecticut State Board of Medical Examiners; Mercyknoll Medical
Staff; New Hope Manor Board of Directors; John XXIII Intercommunity
Retirement Program for Religious; Hartford County Medical Association;
Hartford Medical Society; Connecticut State Medical Society; Alumni
Associations of St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing, Catholic
University of America, and University of Ottawa School of Medicine;
American Association of Life Insurance Medical Directors; American
Council of Life Insurance; and Board of Trustees of Tabor House in
Hartford. A talented singer, Dr. Helene was a former member of the
Traveler's Choral Club, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Choir in Vernon,
and St. Paul's Church Choir in Glastonbury. She enjoyed listening to
classical music, reading, watching "quiz programs" on television,
building and repairing things around her home, and most of all caring
for people.
She is survived by her longtime dear friend and
caregiver, Carole J. Cipolla of Vernon with whom she made her home; a
second cousin, Lynn Sample; friends, Gaylene Sudano of South Windsor,
and Raelene Cronin of Manchester; and many other friends, co-workers,
and former patients that she cared for.
Funeral service will be
Monday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m., from the D'Esopo East Hartford Memorial
Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford, with a Mass of Christian Burial
celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Christopher Church of St. Edmund Campion
Parish, 538 Brewer St., East Hartford. Burial will follow at Mount Saint
Benedict Cemetery, (Section Y), Bloomfield. Relatives and friends may
call at the funeral home chapel on Monday morning, May 23, from 9:30 to
10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dr.
Helene's name may be made to the Felician Sisters, c/o Sister Mary
Laurianne, 1315 Enfield St., Enfield, CT 06082.
It hurts. To know that I won't be seeing her again, in her chair. Not much for talking, but really good at listening, and sometimes, giving advice. Just the knowing that she was there. Now, not there.
The pups and Blackie don't leave me alone. I have dog classes to attend, planting to do, housework and yard work. One foot in front to the other. One day at a time, sometimes it's one minute at a time.
I am forever grateful she chose me to be her friend.
Peace, my friend. Well done, Servant of God.
