Obituary of Evelyn F. Holmblad

Schenectady- Mrs. Evelyn Holmblad, age 91, passed away at her home in the Stockade after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, Dr, James Holmblad, and her youngest child, Ann Holmblad. She is survived by her 3 remaining children, Karen Holmblad, Dr. Chris Holmblad (Dr. Margaret Hudlin), and Jone Jensen (Scott Andrus). She was the beloved grandmother of Matthew Wolf, Erika Windt (Javier Silva), Brittany Morecroft (Andrew), Heather Coonan (Brian) and Amanda Rowe (Jason), and the loving great-grandmother of 10. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Born in Bativa, NY she graduated from Batavia HS before going on to study X-ray Technology at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. While in Phillie she met her future husband Jim. They married in 1946 before moving to Chicago where she worked as an X-ray technologist at Presbyterian Hospital for a year. Once a mother, she gave up her career to stay home in Aurora, IL with her children. In 1951 the Holmblad family moved to Schenectady and never looked back. Although a full-time mom, Evelyn had many outside interests and kept busy outside the home while still managing to keep the family organized. She enjoyed playing golf, curling and skiing, both downhill and cross-country. She loved music and could often be found sitting at her grand piano tickling the ivories. She was a long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church (now Faith United). She sang in the church choir and was on various committees within the church over the years. She loved to garden and always had one of the prettiest gardens in the neighborhood. She loved to travel and she loved the outdoors. As a Girl Scout leader she took her scouts on many adventures camping trips and once lead them on a week-long canoe trip in the Adirondacks. She rafted down the Colorado River twice, and climbed many of the Adirondack 46. Evelyn was also very active in the community at large. She served as a docent at the Schenectady Museum and at one time was a volunteer for the United Way. She served on the boards of the Schenectady Girls Club, Mohawk Pathways Girl Scout Council, the Schenectady Curling Club, the Mental Health Association, the Junior League, the Schenectady County Medical Society Auxiliary, Sunnyview Hospital Auxiliary, and Planned Parenthood of Schenectady and Affiliated Counties where she also was a past president. She served on the local sub area council of the Health Systems Agency of Northeastern NY. She was involved with the Human Services Planning Council of Schenectady County for many years serving on six different committees and finally being elected president. Despite doing all of this she found a way to raise 4 children, take college courses at Union College, travel the globe with her husband, meet the needs of a child with physical needs and make it all look easy. Evelyn was much loved and respected. She will be missed by her family and friends. The Holmblad family wishes to express their profound gratitude to the women who cared so compassionately for her as she traveled down the path of dementia. To Lacey, Debbie, Lena, Jeanne, Sonja & Savannah, Amelia and Kris-you are all treasures. We could not have done this without all of you. A memorial gathering will be held at Evelyn's beloved home at 18 N.Church Street from 12 noon to 4:00PM on Saturday, May 20, 2017. We invite everyone who knew her to come celebrate her wonderful life and share their remembrances of her with the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson, 1040 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12307(weblink.donorperfect.com/annualfunddrive); the Alzheimer's Association at alzfdn.org; The Nature Conservancy-Adirondacks, P.O. Box 65, Keene Valley, NY 12943. To leave condolence messages for Evelyn's family please visit www.jonesfh.net