Obituary of Hilda G. Coon

Blue Mountain Lake: Hilda G. Coon, 96, of Blue Mountain Lake, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 27, 2010. Hilda was born July 14, 1913 in Blue Mountain Lake. She was the daughter of the late David and Huldah (Payne) Gates, one of 17 children. Hilda was a native and lifelong resident of Blue Mountain Lake and the community’s oldest resident. She graduated from the Madame Minerva Beauty Academy of Syracuse in 1938. Hilda married Ralph J. Coon on April 19, 1942 in North Creek. The couple enjoyed their 57 years of married life together in Blue Mountain Lake before Ralph’s passing on February 13, 2000. The couple was honored with the Citizens of the Year award presented by the Blue Mountain Lake Association for their lifelong community service. For over 50 years, Hilda was well known in her role as the local barber and beautician. She was also employed as a housekeeper for several hotels and private residences. She was an active, lifelong, faithful member of the Blue Mountain Lake United Methodist Church as well as the custodian of the Blue Mountain Lake Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. Hilda cherished spending time with her family. Her favorite pastimes that brought great joy to her included oil painting, knitting, canning and baking; especially her homemade pies and doughnuts. Besides her parents and her beloved husband, she is predeceased by 15 siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. She is survived by her brother Reginald Gates of Camden, her three children; Bessie (Coon) Savage of Blue Mountain Lake, Ralph Arthur Coon, Sr. and his wife, Shirley of Albany, and Beverly (Coon) LaBarge of Saratoga Springs, four grandchildren; Lori L. Bennett and husband David Bain, Kenneth M. Bennett, Ralph A. Coon, Jr. and Travis J. Coon and wife Melissa, four great-grandchildren; Kristopher J. Bain, Jessica L. Bain, Alexander J. Coon, and Caroline E. Coon and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Hilda was greatly loved by her family, neighbors and friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. At Hilda’s request, services are to be conducted privately at the convenience of the family. A memorial service will be conducted in the future at the convenience of the family. There are no public calling hours scheduled. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Blue Mountain Lake United Methodist Church, the Blue Mountain Lake EMS, or the Adirondack Tri-County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of North Creek. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook and condolences.