Donald P. and Louise A. (Bozek) Blinn
We celebrate the lives of Donald P. Blinn and Louise A. (Bozek) Blinn. Donald was born on September 17, 1937, the youngest of Sylvia and Charles Blinn’s four children. Don was raised in Rochester, PA, raised his own family in Rochester, and from his home church of First United Methodist of Rochester is raised to glory. Don died in hospice care near his Florida residence of Englewood, Florida on May 15, 2021 having chosen to forego extended days because the quality of his living promised too many future falls, increasing confusion, no more softball, and ‘Wez’ was no longer present to tell him where to go, what to do or simply disagree with him. Louise had died also in hospice care near their Florida residence on July 7, 2020. She felt that she lingered way beyond her desire and longed mostly to be called home. They were persons of faith, lived lives of faith, passed on that faith to their offspring and awaited the glorious day of faith rewarded with promise fulfilled – called home to glory with loved ones and the LORD.
Louise was born on November 19, 1938, the ninth of ten children born to Jennie and Joseph Bozek of Conway, PA. Louise chose to attend Rochester High School where she met, romanced, got him through high school and decided to marry Don, which took place on September 14, 1958. With a honeymoon, that included locking the keys in their car, began a 62 year marriage filled with love, emotion, volatility, stubbornness, three children: Don Jr. (Kim), Renee Blinn Zellhart, and Sheila (Eric) Tierney; five grandchildren: Tabatha (Jake) Zellhart-Flatz, Tiffany Zellhart, Samantha (Steve) Zubach, Erica (Dan) Snyder, and Benjamin Blinn; three great grandchildren: Archer and Brooks Snyder and Wesley Zubach; a home on Virginia Avenue in Rochester complete with its own ‘bill board’, a house built in Florida; the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers; worship and church life; was stubbornness mentioned; volunteering, coaching, softball and memories and stories galore. Many of those memories are captured in phrases (Dad had a million of them!): does it hurt when you breathe? Then, don’t breathe! If it wasn’t for your ‘left’, then you would be alright. And instead of ‘bonding’ in relationship Dad referred to us ‘molding’!
Don worked in the oil industry for 30+ years as an Ashland Oil employee – is there any other oil besides Valvoline? ‘Worked’ at times seemed an exaggeration though the explanation was always that he was paid for what he knew more than for what he did. Being ‘in oil’ symbolized messy work to his family though deceptively it was used to convey wealth to those trying to sell him something. Probably similar to referring to Louise as an ‘operator’ for the brief time she was employed by Bell Telephone.
Louise’s main employ was as a homemaker. She was ‘Mommy’ by choice, design, and desire. The only calling that could come anywhere close was to be ‘Granny’. It became her identity and she pretty much ceased to have any other name: no more Louise, Mrs. Blinn, ‘Wez’, or ‘Mommy’. She was ‘Granny’! It was her life’s goal, mission and fulfilment. She loved little children: she enjoyed playing games with them, doing crafts, sharing snacks and resting and taking naps.
Life and living were good for Don and Louise Blinn. They made this world a better place for having walked this earth. They were blessed and were a blessing to others. Well done good and faithful servants. You ran a good race (questionable whether Louise ever ran). You fought a good fight (oh they did fight)! Your victory is won. Celebrate in glory reunited as your loved ones give thanks for life eternal.
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