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Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Joy Blenko

Blenko, Joy


Joy Blenko Photo from Carolee 
Joy Kinneman Blenko, of Allison Park, died Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was born Nov. 23, 1925, in Pittsburgh, the elder daughter of John Kinneman Jr. and Catherine Sweadner Kinneman. She was the sister of Donna Hasley Hodges, who predeceased her. She graduated from The Ellis School, Goucher College and the University of Pittsburgh business school. After graduation from Pitt, she was employed in retail fashion merchandising at Gimbel's Department Store. She had a long time interest in growing and arranging flowers, and was president of the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center. She was a long time volunteer at Western Pennsylvania Hospital, where she was a member of the Women's Committee and its Governing Board. In 1949, she was married to Walter J. Blenko Jr., who survives her. She is also survived by her sons, John W. (Cheryl) Blenko, of Baltimore, Md., and Andrew W. (Patricia) Blenko, of North Huntingdon; and three grandchildren, Stephanie N. Blenko, Charles R. Blenko and Evan A. Blenko. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS INC., 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street. Services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to The Ellis School. http://www.freyvogelfuneralhome.com.   webmaster Steve sent this info.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hillary our little collectors group tri -state
will meet later today for glass hunting and we'll make a donation to the school as suggested.
If you are doing anything with donation and Blenko Project let us know and we'll contribute.
I recall meeting her during a glass event, classy, sweet lady.
Suzan

Anonymous said...

Our hearts go out to the Blenko Family.
They were wonderful - coming to rescue Blenko
giving up parts of their life and time.
Suzan

Anonymous said...

Sad news.
We met Mrs Blenko is 2007, she with her husband, hosted a Blenko event. Beautiful lady.

Anonymous said...

Hillary if you are sending flowers from Blenko project we would like to contribute.
Paul J.

sweetdoc said...

Hillary if you plan to send $$ for a tree in her honor we will contribute.
Collectors owe Blenko family a great deal.

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the Blenko family.
Elle

Anonymous said...

Hillary this was in our local newspaper along with a photo that I'm sending. Please add this to your blog post. Carolee

Joy Blenko knew how to guide her children without their knowing it, said her son, Andrew.

She had always stressed the importance of education, but Mrs. Blenko didn’t harshly criticize him when he decided to drop out of college after his freshman year in 1974, said Andrew W. Blenko of North Huntingdon.

After two years of working at menial jobs, Andrew returned to college, graduating from Penn State in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

“But she let me have my freedom to make that decision on my own. She knew that I’d come around to that way of thinking,” he said of his mother.

Hampton resident Joy Kinneman Blenko died of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, in Presbyterian SeniorCare in Oakmont. She was 86.

A former president of the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center and the Churchill Garden Club, Mrs. Blenko was an avid gardener and reader who cherished spending time with her family, her loved ones said.

Born Nov. 23, 1925, and raised in Squirrel Hill, she was the older daughter of John Kinneman Jr. and Catherine Sweadner Kinneman.

Mrs. Blenko graduated from The Ellis School in Shadyside in 1943; Baltimore-based Goucher College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, in 1947; and the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a master’s degree in business in 1948, said her husband, Walter J. Blenko Jr.

After graduating from Pitt, she worked for four years in fashion merchandising in Gimbels



Read more: http://triblive.com/home/2971893-74/blenko-andrew-hospital-kinneman-college-degree-husband-john-joy-son#ixzz2CawmZZsD
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Anonymous said...

Add me to the list of people who want to be involved if you do anything.
Sheila Totten

Anonymous said...

In my brief encounter let me say Joy was appropriately named.
Thomas K.

Anonymous said...

Just saw this notice.
My heart felt sympathy for the family.
Elle

Anonymous said...

Beautiful lady, collectors are fortunate to have had a brief
encounter with this beautiful lady.

Anonymous said...

A VERY LONG LIFE FILLED WITH LOVE OF FAMILY.
VERY NICE POST HILERY.
MOUNTAIN RITA