Obituary of Louise Blackford

Louise Blackford, 86, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, formerly of Long Island, NY, passed away on August 8, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.

Born in Astoria, NY, she was the youngest of 4 siblings born to Louis and Michelina Ruggiero.

Louise dedicated her life to raising her family and to helping her church. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, her family and her religion were most important to her. She had a deep faith in God which helped her in her battle with cancer. Her kindness, sense of humor and gentle personality ensured that she was dearly loved by all who knew her.

Louise enjoyed her career in Health Sciences at Stony Brook University, going for bagels after church with friends, Bible study, Crafts, playing cards with her family, family dinners, watching movies, reading many books and reading the Bible.

Louise is survived by her children: Laura (Rich) Loconte, Mark (Myrna) Blackford and Tracy Dayton; grandchildren, Kevin (Amanda) Bauer, Steven (Samantha) Bauer, Jonathan (Olivia) Dayton, Michele Dayton and Joseph Loconte; great grandchild, Evelyn, Eli and Vivienne.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, a veteran and retired NYC firefighter.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Francis by the Sea Catholic Church, Hilton Head Island, SC on Monday, August 28th at 10:00am and a burial at Calverton National Cemetery, Wading River, NY on September 29th at 12 noon.