Clara J. Blackburn

Clara Jean (Cornish) Blackburn, 93, formerly of Natrona Heights, passed away peacefully Friday, July 2, 2021, at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot, where she had resided for the past seven years. She was born February 11, 1928, along with her identical (and younger) twin sister, Colleen, to Robert and Mildred (Doll) Cornish. She was a graduate of Tarentum High School. She married the love of her life, Glenn Blackburn, a dashing young pilot in the Army Air Corp, in 1950, and they were happily married for 61 years. She thoroughly enjoyed her life with Glenn in the Air Force, living on bases in Guam, Texas and Delaware. It was in Delaware that she had two sons, Jay and Jeff. They were living on base while Glenn served his country in Vietnam. When Glenn retired they moved to Natrona Heights and lived there for many years raising their family. After their sons grew up, the happy couple moved to the Village of Clinton, relishing their life on the river. Clara enjoyed traveling, golf, pool parties and, most recently, she loved playing cards, Steelers football and Wii bowling. Clara was always the life of the party; she never met a stranger and loved her family and friends. Clara was preceded in death by her parents, Mayor Robert and Mildred (Doll) Cornish; her identical twin sister, Colleen Cornish Bittinger; and her husband, Col. (ret.) Glenn E. Blackburn. She is survived by her sons, Jay (Kristine) Blackburn, of Kingwood, Texas, and Jeff (Carol) Blackburn, of Freeport, and her grandchildren, Laura and Lianne Blackburn, of Texas, Jeremy Blackburn, of Freeport and Lindsay (Rick) Fiore, of Leechburg; and great-grandson, Brody Fiore. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Bill (Kathy) Bittinger, Greg (Sharon) Bittinger, Sandy (Fred) DiCaro, Sue (Greg) Boris and Joel (Susan) Bittinger.

Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021 in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle Street, Natrona Heights 724-224-8688, where services will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private on a later date at the convenience of the family. To send an online condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.