Ruth E. Blaise, 87, of N. Washington St., Herkimer, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 26, 2015, at home. She was born on December 9, 1928, in Herkimer, the daughter of George and Elizabeth “Belle” (Liberty) Riel, and graduated from Herkimer High School in 1946. On September 3, 1949, she was married to Gene Blaise at the First Methodist Church of Herkimer. Ruth was employed as a telephone operator at New York Telephone Co. in Herkimer and Utica for 35 years, retiring in 1985. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, besides being an excellent homemaker and cook. Ruth was an avid bridge player and member of bridge clubs. Mrs. Blaise also enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and Red Hat Society. Surviving family members include her husband of 66 years, Gene; her children, Robin Stasilli, of Mohawk, Marlee Mason and her husband, Keith, of Pawlet, VT, and Timothy Blaise and his wife, Gerry, of Ilion; eight grandchildren, Nicholas and his fiancée, Alison, Mary Stasilli, Jennifer (Stasilli) Sacco and husband, Mike, Katherine Edwards and her husband, Brian, Luke Mihevc and his wife, Jessica, Liza Mason, and Timothy and Alexander Blaise; seven great-grandchildren, Alexis, Michael, Addy, Jackson and Emilia, and Andrew and Nicky; sister-in-law, Ruth Riel, of Little Falls; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy (Riel) Wood; and 3 brothers, Lewis, Robert and Edward Riel. A Celebration of Life service will be held 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s newly reopened and renovated home at 102 West St., Ilion, with Celebrant Don Applegate, coordinating and sharing family memories and prayer. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., prior to the funeral home service at 102 West St., Ilion. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Ruth, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005, or Fort Herkimer Church, 575 Route 5S, Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. The Blaise family entrusted Ruth’s service arrangements and supervision to their long time family Funeral Director, Don Applegate.