Obituary of Arvilla Lafountain

CARTHAGE – Arvilla L. Lafountain, 84, formally of Alexandria St., passed away on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Carthage Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare.

Arvilla was born on April 8, 1934, the daughter of the late Fredrick Joseph and Josephine Elizabeth (Wager) Schloeder.  She attended Carthage High School and after working in many area restaurants, went on to become a chef for her own establishment, the Castorland Hotel.

She married James F. Blackwell in 1953, which ended in divorce, and remarried to Harold Lafountain, an Air Force veteran, in 1968 in Great Bend, New York. Separated for many years, Harold passed away on February 20, 2014.

Arvilla loved to knit, crochet, and bake; she was known to have the best pies – especially lemon meringue and coconut cream -- in all of Jefferson County.  She was a collector of blown glass and other treasures dear to her heart.  She was a collector of strays, family members and military, whom she gave a roof over their heads and a meal in their bellies, especially during the holidays.

She is survived by her children, Leonard Blackwell (sp. Sheryl), Durham, NC; James (Skip) Blackwell (ex sp. Mary), Wendell, NC; Carl Blackwell (sp. Marsha), Pugwash, Nova Scotia; Fredrica (Rikki) Barkley (sp. Kathy dec.), Watertown, NY; a half-sister, Tadako Someya, Kanawaga, Japan; ten grandchildren (Jessica, Adam, Riley, Samantha, Branden, Jimmy, Joe, John, Billy, and Henry) and 17 great-grandchildren.

Arvilla is predeceased by her daughter, Tricia Lafountain; her sister, Patricia Curry, Canton, GA; her brother, John Schloeder, Black River, NY; and her great- grandson Damien, Carthage, NY.

Calling Hours will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 1-4 PM at Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State Street, Carthage. A funeral service will immediately follow at 4 PM in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Wayne Arnold officiating. A burial will take place in the spring at Sunnyside Cemetery, Great Bend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Carthage Center for Rehabilitation or the American Lung Association.

Lastly, the family of Arvilla would like to give a very special thank you to the following people who were important to her throughout her life and end of life care: Mary Blackwell, an angel on earth; devoted friend Kenny Paragon; the staff at Carthage Center for their tireless, heartfelt care and dedication; and Peter Sinatra and the nursing staff at Crouse Irving Hospital in Syracuse and "Mary & Emily Herbst, our devoted counsins from Syracuse, who were always there for us when we needed it the most. 

Condolences may be made online at www.lundyfuneralhome.com.

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