Blanche was such a memorable part of my upbringing, having had the privilege of growing up across the road to Blanche and their growing family. I greatly admired her spirit, resilience and zest for life, and I wanted to be " just like Blanche" when I grew up.( she also had an incredible sense of humour). I recall Blanche and my mother sharing a beer after likely experiencing a "challenging" day with 7 kids between them. Another memory was of Blanches' mother coming to stay with them for a length of time and Blanche remarking on her own mothers' strength, quoting her as saying " keeping going, keeping going" in her best Czechoslovakian accent.
There was nothing Blanche couldn't do, from art work, singing and playing ukelele and guitar, sewing, making " something from nothing", creating a beautiful rock garden in her back yard from scratch, on both Brier Cres., and Morrell St. Around age 10 or 11, my mother bought some material and patterns and Blanche sewed about 3 outfits for me. She also saw some pictures in a magazine and proceeded to oil paint these 2 brightly coloured abstracts all while tending to her 4 young children.( Tara had not yet been born)
Blanche was always up for a bit of fun and adventure, like the time Blanche and my mom threw on their skates after an ice storm and skated with us on top of the " ice" snow! One of my favourite pictures of mom and Blanche was when they dressed up for Halloween, mom in a square dancing dress and Blanche like a little " Poirot". Blanche was laughing so exuberantly, she exclaimed she would " pee my pants"!
She had a way with her public health clients of both encouraging, and gaining their trust. My dad was the recipient one time when he had run out of his blood pressure meds and Blanche sternly and effectively told him in no uncertain terms the risks and dire consequences of missing his doses. She fondly recalled another client from Newfoundland, who, after sharing his life story with her, told her that " I feels lighter", in her best Nfld accent! She did a great nasal impression of one of her favourite characters in Corner Gas, " Stay calm, be brave, watch for the signs"
We love you and miss you, Blanche. May you rest in peace, thy good and faithful servant, and dear friend!
Cathie Rice
