Elaine S. (Balash) Hurley

LOWVILLE – Elaine S. Hurley, 86, former longtime resident of the East Road, passed away on Friday morning, December 6, 2024, at Sunset Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Boonville.

She is survived by four children and their spouses, Denise H. and Terry Brafford of Killeen, TX; Kim D. and Linda Hurley of Caledonia, NY; Kevin J. Hurley of  Wallkill, NY; Jeffrey R. and Kelly of Highland, NY; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Tyler, Samantha, Ashley, Jessica, Kevin and Sean; six great-grandchildren, Jacob,  Aubrey, Aiden, Ally, Alexis, and Ellis; one sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and James Pike of Leesburg, FL; nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald; three brothers, Francis, Robert and Richard Balash; and two sisters, Elvira Blanchard and Arlene Bushey.
 

Elaine was born on July 5, 1938 in Lowville, a daughter of the late Frank and Helen Hongo Balash.  She graduated from Lowville Academy Central School with the class of 1955.  On January 2, 1956, she married Donald T. Hurley at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Castorland, a blessed union lasting 55 years until Donald’s passing on June 8, 2011.  Elaine, along with her husband Donald, moved to Germany where he was stationed returning in 1958 when they bought a house on the East Road where she raised their family while Donald continued his military career retiring in 1968. There they made a lifetime of memories.

Mrs. Hurley was a communicant of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Lowville, and a communicant of the former St. Ann's Catholic Church, Castorland.  She was a Tug Hill Red Hatter and a volunteer at Lewis County General Hospital, passing out mail to the residents and patients.   Elaine and Don greatly enjoyed participating in the St. Peter’s May Festival, the St. Peter’s Harvest Dinner, and Hospitality Committee at St. Peter's Catholic Church.  Elaine loved to read, was an avid gardener and cook who provided meals from what she grew in her garden and what they raised on their farm. She showed her love to family and friends by cooking for everyone who visited especially Hungarian and Polish dishes that honored her and Donald’s heritages.

A memorial Mass will be held at a later date at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lowville with burial in Beaches Bridge Cemetery.  A luncheon at St. Peter’s Parish Hall will follow the burial.  There are no calling hours.  Elaine has donated her body as an anatomical gift to SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY.  Arrangements are with Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 5457 Shady Avenue, Lowville, NY  13367; or to a charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be made to Elaine’s family online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com

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