N. Ilion: Katherine “Katie” M. LaPoint-Wildey-Blake, age 77, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Utica, following a brief illness.

Born in Ilion on April 22, 1934 to Emanuel “Bob” and Helen (VanLare) LaPoint, Katie was raised in North Ilion, and although she lived in Florida for several years, she eventually moved back to North Ilion, the only place that felt like home, residing on the LaPoint family property until her death.

Katie was a graduate of Annunciation School in Ilion, where she developed a lifelong friendship with her personal angel, Sister Mary Celine O’Brien. She truly treasured Sister Celine. Katie also attended Ilion High School.

In August of 1951 Katie was married to James L. Wildey in Ilion. Mr. Wildey passed away on August 28, 1966, leaving Katie with the task of raising their five children, which she did admirably.

On November 28, 1983 Katie was joined in marriage with Garrett “Garry” Blake. We, her children, would like to thank Garry for taking good care of our little tiny Mom, and being so devoted to her until the end.

Katie’s first job was answering phones and driving taxi for her father’s business, Bob’s Taxi. She was proud to have spent 42 years tending bar throughout the valley. She worked at Chuck’s Grill and Crossway’s in Ilion, the VFW in Herkimer, and the Polish Club in Herkimer. In the 1980’s, Katie owned her own businesses, Katie’s Kitchen in Ilion, and Katie’s Place, Bar & Grill on Route 5 in Frankfort. Family and friends enjoy many wonderful memories from our times at Katie’s Place.

Katie’s most recent employment was at the Ilion VFW, Acme Road, in Ilion, where she enjoyed serving and visiting with her many wonderful friends. She was well known for her fabulous home cooking, and enjoyed putting on fund raiser dinners for the VFW. She retired from the Ilion VFW in 2008. She was proud to be a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. In her heyday, Katie was an excellent pool shooter, taking great pleasure in being able to beat the guys she played with.

Katie missed her mother and brother, Danny, desperately, and we’re happy they’re reunited now.

Katie is survived by her loving husband, Garry, her devoted children, Cathy Ingraham, James Wildey and wife Priscilla, Jeffrey Wildey and wife Kathy, Mary Tubia and husband James, Lisa Stefanec, and Brian Blake, 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, her sister, Helen Scanlon and husband James, and brother Richard and wife Mary, sisters-in-law, Joyce and Connie, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives, special friends, Bruce and Claudette Williams, and too many friends to count.

Katie was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Daniel, and grandson, James.

Our mother was a tiny woman, but to us, she was larger than life—74 pounds of dynamite, loaded with spunk and sass. She was well respected by all, and will be greatly missed.

Thank you so much to the wonderful nurses in the ICU at St. Elizabeth’s, Courtney and John. Your compassion, caring, and professionalism were invaluable to us, and you are both a credit to your profession. We’ll never forget you. May God bless you always.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 from 12 – 2 pm at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion (town of Frankfort). Her funeral service conducted by James Cogar, Chaplain of the Ilion VFW, will follow at 2 pm, also at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest in St. Agnes Cemetery, N. Ilion. The Ilion VFW Ladies Auxiliary will meet at the funeral home at 1 pm to conduct their service.

The family is being served by Edward J. Kwiecinski, Funeral Director. To add to Katie’s online memorials, please visit our website at www.eneafamily.com.