Phoebe H. Curran, 87, Massena

Massena - The family of Phoebe H. Curran, age 87, of Roosevelt Road, are saddened to report the passing of their mother early Wednesday morning, May 1, 2024, at St. Josephs Nursing Home in Ogdensburg, NY.

 Calling hours for Phoebe will be held on Tuesday May 7, 2024, at Phillips Memorial Home located at 64 Andrews Street in Massena from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of the Sacred Heart with burial to follow in Carville Cemetery in Helena.

The family has entrusted funeral arrangements to the care and direction of the Phillips Memorial Home in Massena.

Phoebe was born on August 31, 1936, on State Road in Akwesasne, the daughter of William Michael Kanawato and Mary Charlotte Saiawenre (White) Herne. She attended St. Regis Mohawk School and graduated from Bombay High School. Shortly after graduation, she began her 40-year career at Alcoa. She remained living at home, working full-time, assisting on the farm and taking care of her invalid Mother with her younger sister, Hilda. She met her future husband, James Thomas “Jimmy” Curran at a box lacrosse game in Hogansburg, NY. Phoebe and Jimmy married on July 16, 1960, at the St. Regis Catholic Church Mission in St. Regis, Quebec, followed by visit to the farm to see her Mother, and then onto a very memorable reception in Dundee, Quebec. Jimmy had a 40-year career as a heavy equipment operator with Operating Engineers Albany Local 106. He predeceased her on March 27, 2007.

They lived their entire 46 years of married life on Roosevelt Road in Massena. Many of their dearest friends were from our neighborhood. Together Jimmy and Phoebe enjoyed family time, especially snowmobiling with their daughters. We were very blessed to have such wonderful parents who always put us girls first, and for that we will forever appreciate the sacrifices they made so that we could have the lives we now have. 

Phoebe retired from Alcoa in 1996, after 40 years of service. Initially, she was a clerk in the mailroom, then became a keypunch operator and lastly, a clerk in shipping and receiving. She was a proud member of the Alcoa 25-Year Club, attending many of their dinners. Phoebe felt very blessed she was given the opportunity to have such a successful career. She had many co-workers who had remained very dear friends, often talking on the phone, visiting one another and meeting as a group for regularly shared meals out together. She lovingly took care of Jimmy through multiple serious health related issues, never complaining. Together they enjoyed going to winter in Daytona Beach, FL, to help in his recoveries, and to enjoy being there with friends and taking in the occasional race. Back home they enjoyed “going out for breakfast” and visiting family and friends. They never missed the opportunity to attend Nicole and Nathan’s school and sporting events, as they considered their grandchildren their best accomplishments.

After Jimmy’s passing, Phoebe enjoyed walking daily at Heart to Heart Fitness, maintaining friendships with many family friends, former co-workers, church friends and “new” dancing friends. Phoebe enjoyed spending time painting pictures, bird houses, and rocks. She also enjoyed sewing and making felt Christmas ornaments and personalized stockings for family and friends. She loved baking cookies, cakes, and/or pies to be shared, especially around the holidays. She wrote in her journal every day and enjoyed writing stories of her memories about growing up on the farm. For the past 12 years her best friend was her great grandson Oakley. We will all miss her dearly, but not nearly as much as Oakley.

She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, Hogansburg, then St. Joseph’s Church, Bombay, and then Sacred Heart Church, Massena. She was a member of the St. Patrick’s Church Altar and Rosary Society.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Mary Beth (Kevin Wells) Curran of Canton, Carolyn (Curran) and Robert Cook of Massena, and Sharon (Tim Major) Curran of Massena; granddaughter, Nicole Marie (Curran) and Chris Deshaies; and grandson, Nathan James and Taylor (Peets) Major; and a beloved great-grandson Oakley Chris Deshaies. She is also survived by her godsons, Wesley Laughing and Jimmy Brady, along with many nieces and nephews.

In her family she was predeceased by her maternal grandparents Loran Nioherasa and Mary Marie Tewateronhiokohtha (Back) White; paternal grandparents Julius Sonakwi’se and Mary Adelaide Millicent “Millie” (Gareau) Herne; eight sisters and six brothers-in-law Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Herne (Harlon) Grant; Anna Mae Herne (Bill Mitchell) (Peter) Laughing; Christie Grace Herne (Stewart) Thompson; Caroline Josephine Herne Mangone; Emily Grace Herne Morris; Loretta Cecilia Herne (Michael) Rocks; Hilda Ann “Chunny” (Robert Thompson) Herne; Martha Holly Herne (died in infancy); and one brother and one sister-in-law William Leonard “Lawrence” (Dolores) Herne; nephews Harlon Grant, Jr.; Billy Mitchell; Wally Mitchell and great nephews Trey Mitchell; Christopher Thompson; and Justin Altman. She is survived by only two brothers-in-law Walter Morris, Bronx, NY and Phil Mangone, Clifton, NJ.

Additionally, she is predeceased by two brothers-in law and three sisters-in-law Michael (Polly) Curran; Francis (Sue) Curran; and Vonnie (Curran) O’Brien; nephew Michael J. Curran; and niece Pat Ann (Curran) Lucas. She is also survived by her four brothers-in-law and four sisters-in law Jack (Ilene) Curran; Mary Curran (Earl) Fregoe; Teresa Curran (Dwight) Muller; and Vinnie (Nancy) Curran.

After her dementia diagnosis five years ago, she eventually began to require the additional assistance of in-home caregivers. We want to sincerely thank Kristin, Candy, and Katie for always being professional, knowledgeable, and kind to Phoebe. Phoebe’s first cousin Josephine Chubb Porter’s daughter, Sandra Porter Fox, will always have a special place in our hearts. She spent many hours with Phoebe assisting with her care, talking, laughing, dancing, and reminiscing about the past and the stories of our families. Sandra also supported us by sharing her knowledge and giving us spiritual guidance to help us deal with losing a little bit of our mother each day.

 Phoebe’s family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the kind, loving, genuinely caring staff at St. Joseph’s Home. We know she received the best care, respect, and compassion from each and every member of the home. A heartfelt thanks to Deacon Tony Pastizzo for the prayers and daily visits with Phoebe and for providing us with spiritual support and comfort during this difficult time. We will forever be indebted to the St. Joseph’s Home family for their exceptional care and providing our mother with the best quality of life for her last six months. 

Online condolences, pictures and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.PhillipsMemorial.com