December 15, 2012

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Eloise L. Emerson, 81, Rome, formerly of Watertown, died Friday, Dec. 14, at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse.

Calling hours will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., 214 Sterling St., Watertown. The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Watertown. Burial will follow in Dexter Cemetery.

Born June 13, 1931, in Fort Covington, a daughter of Antoine and Ida Bodway Castagnier, her family moved to Watertown and she graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy.

She married Richard F. Emerson on Aug. 4, 1957, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Benoit Dostie officiating.

Mes. Emerson had been a clerk and an accountant for both the Agricultural Insurance Co. and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, both in Watertown. The couple moved to Rome in 1999.

She was a communicant of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Rome and a former communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Watertown. 

Eloise was an avid reader, and she enjoyed golfing and traveling.

Besides her husband, Richard, she is survived by her son and his wife, Mark R. and Karen Emerson, Watertown; her three daughters, Jacqueline E. and Timi Gamble, Rome, Amy J. and Riley Blakley, Johnstown, and Sarah I. Eastup, Rome; nine grandchildren; her brother and his wife, John R. "Jack" and "Sally" Cascanette, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

She was predeceased by her daughter, Lisa M. French, October 5, 2008, one grandchild, two brothers, Ernest Castagnier and Francis Castagnier, and four sisters, Eva M. Shannon, Agnes I. Jones, Ruby Mainville, and Albena Krupcale.

Contributions in her name may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 1 Paddock Arcade, Watetown, NY 13601.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.cummingsfuneral.com.

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown