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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    Blaney sisters celebrate 100th birthdays

    March 14, 2018 / By Pastor Ken Blume, Apulia UMC

    Three sisters, Ruth Smith, 102 years; Marion Rakov, 101 years, and Louise Henderson who turned 100 today, March 14, 2018, will be celebrating their centennial birthdays together with an upcoming family gathering and dinner.

    They are the daughters of the late John and Pearle Squire Blaney of Apulia Station, NY.

    They account for their longevity to being raised in the country and working on the family dairy farm, plus never smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. Ruth and Louise have lived in the Apulia area their entire lives, while Marion moved to Syracuse for better job opportunities.

    They have been lifelong members of the Apulia United Methodist Church. Their family offered the land on which the church stands today. They were baptized in the church when they were young, joined the church membership in their teenage years around 1928, and were married and raised their families, all participating in church activities. They have been supporting members in the church’s fundraising efforts working at smorgasbord suppers, bake sales, annual rummage and craft sales, etc. They also were loyal members of the Women’s Society of Christian Services (WSCS) that worked to raise funds for Methodist outreach programs in foreign and developing countries to further support the spread of Christianity, especially Methodism, providing food, clothing and medical care to those in need throughout the world.

    We congratulate these women on attaining their 100th birthdays and thank them for their lifelong service to the Apulia United Methodist Church. May you all enjoy many more years of good health and happiness.


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."