PORTLAND – On Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, Katherine Ann Blanche, loving wife and mother of 10, passed away at the age of 69. Born to Ellis and Joanne Linder on the island of Honolulu in 1954, Kathy adored her siblings and was devoted to her family.

From an early age, Kathy dreamed of one day getting married and having a houseful of children. During a visit to San Francisco, Calif. with family friends in 1974, she met the love of her life, Carl Blanche. Handsome in his Navy uniform, he swept her off her feet, stopping the car on the side of the road to run and handpick a bouquet of wildflowers. After a week together she returned home to Arizona wearing his dog tags. They married one month later and never looked back.

Kathy was known for her generous spirit, abundance of patience, quiet strength and ability to drown out the cacophony surrounding her simply by reading a good book. She loved fantasy novels, science fiction TV shows, a good foot rub and long car rides with Carl but her greatest love was her family. And all her children are proud to have called her Mom.

Kathy is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Carlton Wayne Blanche; their 10 children, Christina, Nathan, Bradley, Heather, Katherine, Dana, Jacob, Erik, Sara and Adam; 21 grandchildren; her sisters Karen and Lisa, her brother, Stephen; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will share plans for a Celebration of Life ceremony at a future date.

In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks that those who are able instead make a donation to the

Alzheimer’s Association®.

https://act.alz.org/

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