Beatrice “Bea” (Beatriz Rodriguez) Blake, 94, of North Syracuse, N.Y., passed away peacefully Friday, March 1, 2024, at her home.
Born in El Paso, Texas, to Augustina Rodriguez, she was raised by her grandparents, Martin and Cecilia Rodriguez, who were instrumental in her upbringing and shaped her drive and outlook on faith and life.
Married for 46 years to William A. Blake (a retired lieutenant colonel), he predeceased her on March 31, 2003. Her son, Charles Martin Blake, also predeceased her on Feb. 3, 2019. Bea is also predeceased by three siblings, Gavino Rodriguez (1958), Cecilia Castillo (1995) and Carol Rodriguez (2017). She also had a large loving family of in-laws from Texas and Virginia, many of whom are deceased.
Surviving are her children, Gloria M. Blake-Stirton and her husband Thomas Stirton IV, William A. Blake II and John Andrew Blake and his wife Breda Ryan-Blake; daughter-in-law, Sheri Blake; grandchildren, Allison Beatrice “Sonni” (husband Sami) Hage, Carly (fiancé Ryan Martin) Blake, William “Will” Blake, Thomas Stirton V; great grandchildren, Jameson Hage, Sebastian Hage, Charles Jett Martin and Willow Martin; sisters, Maria Dolores “Lola” Rodriguez and Guadalupe “Lupe” Sceppe and several nieces and nephews.
Bea graduated from the Texas Western College of the University of Texas in1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and in 1971 Bea completed her Master of Education degree at the University of Texas at El Paso. This is emblematic of Bea’s drive as less than 5% of women had a college education in 1950.
Mrs. Blake retired from the North Syracuse Central School District in 1997, having taught at Bessie Riordan, KWS Bear Road Elementary and Roxboro Road Middle Schools. Devoted to her faith, she was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church, North Syracuse, and a member of Bishop Curley Columbiettes.
Beatice loved life and lived it fully defying nearly every stereotype associated with aging. Although she lived a simple life, she had a flair for stylish clothes and would be decked out in orange on game days. Still driving her Cadillac, exercising and sporting a stylish hat when she went out right through to the evening of Feb. 11, when she suffered a stroke while watching the Super Bowl at home.
Bea greatly enjoyed watching and attending sporting events, especially her beloved Syracuse University football and basketball programs attending games in person right up through the 2023 season. She was an avid reader enjoying historical fiction novels and was a supporter of the performing arts and was a patron of the Landmark Theater, Syracuse Stage, and the Syracuse Orchestra. Bea traveled the world over, she wanted to see “all the places I’ve taught my students about” including Egypt, Peru, China, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Holy Land. Beatrice loved to keep active and truly valued her membership at the North Area YMCA she stayed healthy and active with yoga, group classes and the friendships she developed.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 pm on Monday, March 11, at Fergerson Funeral Home, 215 S. Main St., North Syracuse. Funeral services will be next day at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home and at 10 a.m. a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Rose of Lima Church, 407 S. Main St., North Syracuse. Burial will be at a date later in Arlington National Cemetery.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Rose of Lima Church (renewal fund), 407 S. Main St., North Syracuse, NY 13212.
