Obituary

Sirena (“Sy”) was born on August 13, 1945  to Helen Ann Geimer and Willard William Blaesser in Madison, Wisconsin.  She was the second of three children. After obtaining her undergraduate degree at the University of New Hampshire in 1970, Sirena obtained a Masters in international administration and cross-cultural studies from the School for International Training of the Experiment in International Living, in Brattleboro Vermont.  She then obtained her Masters in clinical social work at the Portland State University School of Social Work, where she was recognized early on for her exceptional ability as a psychotherapist, working with individuals, couples, children and families. Her work focused in particular on chronic illness and health related issues with psychological or emotional components.

Before coming to North Carolina in 2006, Sy spent much of her life in the West, working as a licensed clinical social worker in the medical field at hospitals and clinics in California, Idaho, and Montana, while also developing her private practice, to which she began to devote most of her time upon arriving in North Carolina.

Sirena loved to travel and utilized her training at the International School to work in cross-cultural settings in Mexico, Colombia, S.A., France and other European countries. Because she believed strongly in the importance of empowering individuals, particularly women, to choose and pursue their own  paths in life, she decided to become a certified life coach, and this became the primary focus of her private practice in Hillsborough.

Sy grew up riding horses with her family in Utah, and continued to own and ride horses while living and working in the West.  She also found great joy in music and singing, whether performing for groups with her guitar, or singing with acapella groups.   She particularly enjoyed the genre of lullabies, and sang this soothing music on various occasions to young and old alike.

In Hillsborough, Sirena was welcomed into the St. Matthew’s Women’s Singing Circle––an informal group that enjoys singing traditional music expressing Christian faith.  Sirena’s clear, high soprano voice was a distinctive addition to the mix. She sang several concerts with the group, and in 2017 participated in the compact disc recording “Homecoming.”  Among her singing sisters, Sy found warmth and friendship and was a valued member of the ensemble.

Sirena is survived by her sister, Ann Codevilla of Arvada, Colorado, and her brother, Brian Blaesser of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts.