PORT HENRY, N.Y. - Blanche (Donahue) Brown, a longtime resident of Port Henry, died on Monday, April 20th 2015 at the University of Vermont Medical Center - UVM Health Network in Elizabethtown, N.Y.

Blanche was born in Mineville, N.Y. on November 16th 1923, the daughter of James and Mary (Downy) Donahue.

She was the youngest daughter in a family of eight sisters and two brothers.

Blanche was 12 when her mother died, and after the family home burned two years later, she went to Port Henry, N.Y. to work and continue high school.

Blanche met her future husband and love of her life, Robert Brown in Port Henry, N.Y., where his parents owned and operated Ernie's Restaurant.

Blanche and Bob were married just before Bob went to Europe to serve in World War II, and Blanche worked in the restaurant while he was away.

Blanche and Bob shared a beautiful 72-year marriage. Blanche and Bob's only child, was born a year after Bob's return from military service.

After being a stay-at-home Mom for several years, Blanche again entered the work force, waitressing at several local restaurants, and working at International Paper Company in Ticonderoga.

Blanche was a devout Catholic, and active at St. Patrick's Catholic Parish Church in Port Henry for many years.

She was a member and past Regent of the Catholic Daughters, taught religious instruction classes, and was a Eucharistic Minister.

In later years, Blanche was a hostess at the Westport Yacht Club, and worked at the Village Bazaar clothing shop in Port Henry, N.Y.

When Bob was mayor of Port Henry, N.Y., Blanche was delighted to play the role of First Lady, welcoming visitors to their home and helping Bob promote the village of Port Henry, N.Y.

Blanche loved animals of all kinds, music, dancing, flowers and birds. She enjoyed gardening and doing word puzzles.

Blanche was predeceased by her parents; her husband Bob, who passed in November of 2014; six sisters, Marie LaFountain, Helen Tompkins, Evelyn Phinney, Mary Newton, Agnes Pierce, Florence LaFountain; and two brothers, James Donahue and Michael Donahue.

Arrangements by the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry, N.Y.

There will be a funeral Mass at 1 pm on Friday, April 24th 2015 at St. Patrick's Church in Port Henry.

Graveside services immediately following at the Catholic Cemetery. Blanche's husband Bob will be interred at the same time with military honors.