Tribute

On the afternoon of Saturday, March 14, 2020, Carolina Mary Blanchard passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side at the Kimberley Special Care Home in Kimberley at the age of 91 years.  Carol was born on December 31, 1928 on a farm near Macklin, Saskatchewan to Adam and Anna Mildenberger.  She was the eldest of ten children.

As a young woman, Carol moved to Edmonton to work and this is where she met the love of her life, Ken Blanchard.  They were married on March 3, 1952 and enjoyed 60 years of marriage together until Ken’s passing in 2012.  Carol and Ken were blessed with two children, Debbie and Brian.  The family moved to Kimberley in 1967 and she has resided there ever since.

Carol came from a family of musicians and she was blessed with a beautiful voice.  She passed her musical talents on to her son and daughter and especially loved to hear her son play guitar for her.  She was proud of both of us.

Mom was an excellent homemaker; her family meant everything to her.  She was also a first-class seamstress and was offered several positions in Edmonton as such, which she turned down to stay at home and raise her children.  She created over 100 quilts in her lifetime many of which her family cherish in their homes today.  She also loved knitting and crocheting and created some wonderful pieces over the years.  One year the family all got Cowichin style sweaters as gifts!  Mom was also an excellent cook and baker.  Her bread, cinnamon buns, cookies and Kraut Strudel were the best!  Her pies were second to none, and anyone who was lucky enough to try one can attest to this.

She spent countless hours with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and had a special bond with all of them.  Mom’s love of cooking and baking was passed on to her daughter, but her granddaughters Chelsie and Kylie especially inherited this talent.  Both are amazing cooks and bakers!

Carol was a gentle soul but also had a stubborn, assertive side which showed up at the most appropriate of times.  These traits were also lovingly passed down to her family, most notably her granddaughters, Chelsie and Kylie.  She never left anyone out and never forgot a birthday or anniversary.  She was a kind, caring, loving and gentle wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. We were lucky to have her in our lives.

Many thanks to her Kimbrook Apartment family. You were great friends to mom and were always there if she needed a hand. She was lucky to have you all.

To Dr. Van Zyl, thanks for the wonderful care you gave mom over the years, she always said it was because of you that she was still living at the age of 91!

Thanks to everyone at Homecare, the wonderful care you provided to mom allowed her to stay in her home longer which meant a lot to her.

Many heartfelt thanks to the staff of The Kimberley Special Care Home where she spent her last days. The loving care you gave mom will never be forgotten.  Bless you all.

Mom, mama, grams, grammie…you were always there for us, and we always felt loved by you. You were reliable and a source of comfort to your family. We made mistakes and you forgave us and taught us what was right. You had just the right amount of wit and humor … always in a kind way.  You also made the best ice cream cones and peach popsicles!

You will be deeply missed and never, ever forgotten. Your impact on our lives helped make us who we are today.  You will live on in our hearts and our memories, and we will continue to make you proud!

Until we meet again, may you rest in peace.

Left to mourn her passing is her daughter Debbie (Art Cope) and son Brian Blanchard.  She also leaves her granddaughters; Chelsie (Isaac Tierney), Kylie (Troy Newton), great grandchildren Azalea and Thor Tierney and Emil and Ari Newton.  She also leaves behind her brother Alex and sisters Rosie (Harvey), Emma (Pete) and Margie (Bob) and their families as well as special sister-in-law Eileen Blanchard and her family.  She leaves many nieces and nephews, in-laws and friends also too numerous to mention.

Carol was predeceased by her husband, Ken, brothers Joe, Ray, Leo and sisters Edie and Daisy as well as other family members too numerous to mention.

There will be a family gathering later in the spring.

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