Obituary of Blanche E. Stickley

CLARKSVILLE - Blanche Elizabeth (Sperbeck) Stickley, 89, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2017 at her home with her loving husband of 68 years by her side. Blanche, a fun loving and fiery redhead, was born in Albany, March 2, 1928, the daughter of the late Caroline Folts Sperbeck and John Henry Sperbeck. She grew up in New Salem and lived her life in the beauty of the Helderbergs. She graduated from Voorheesville Central School in 1946 and soon started her career of 11 years at NY Telephone. There she met her future husband, Richard Stickley. They married at age 21 and settled in Clarksville where they raised two children. Throughout her life Blanche was active in her community as a Girl Scout leader, in the Clarksville PTA, as a communicant of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, and as a 20-year volunteer in the former Childs Hospital Gift Shop. Blanche is survived by her husband Richard E. Stickley, her son Richard J. Stickley (Donna), and her daughter Caroline E. Brooks (William). She is also survived by 4 granddaughters: Suzanne M. Stickley, Nicole E. Stickley, Caroline A. Brooks, and Samantha L. Brooks. A visitation for friends and family will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, April 27th at Applebee Funeral Home, Delmar. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 28th, at 11am at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Delmar. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Blanche E. Stickley to Community Hospice Foundation, c/o Gift Processing Center, 310 So. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208-1771.