Patricia Ann Blanc died peacefully at home in Hidden Cove on Dec. 31, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. First and foremost, Patricia was a devoted wife, mother, and matriarch of a large extended family, and she left an indelible impression on the many people she touched.
Patti, as she was known to her loved ones, was born in New York City in 1930 to Richard H. Burke and Elizabeth Donnelly. She graduated from the College of Mount St. Vincent with a B.S. in nursing, and trained at St. Vincent Hospital in New York City. In 1953, she met her husband René on a blind date. They married in June 1954, sharing a dream of raising a large family together. René’s job brought them to Jacksonville, Fla., where desegregation was in its early stages. Patti joined the faculty at the Brewster-Duval School of Nursing, a training hospital for African-American women, and created the curriculum to enable accreditation for this newly established school. A liberal thinker, talented teacher, and generous-hearted nurturer, Patti loved her work helping others.
In 1963, Patti and René moved to Simsbury, Conn., with four children. There they welcomed two more “duckins” to the family, and lived for the next seven years, raising their family in a rented three-bedroom home. These were halcyon days with not much money, but the house was filled with mountains of love, mishaps, and laughs. Patti accepted a job as nursing supervisor at Hartford Hospital, working nights, so she and René could juggle child care. She always made time to create a beautiful and nurturing environment for the family, orchestrating daily schedules, creating traditions, and being the conduit to both sides of the family.
In 1969 her brother, Richard Burke, introduced Patti and René to Martha’s Vineyard. They began taking family vacations together in Oak Bluffs, where they would squeeze four adults, nine kids, and a 150-pound, sand-covered, drooling Newfoundland into the back of a Ford Econoline van and head to various Island beaches. This would be the beginning of the famous beach cookouts, and the catalyst that brought Patti and René to spending summers on the Island, eventually making it their full-time home in 1986.
Patti had a natural aptitude for creativity and drawing, and entered a painting contest, which eventually led to a second career as an accomplished artist and art teacher. Combining her incredible artistic ability, her eye for beauty and color in the world around her, and her love of teaching, Patti was a magnet for aspiring artists. Over the years, her studios would be a place where she enthusiastically shared her talent, finding the inner artist in all her students, and creating lasting friendships and memories for all who passed through.
The family moved to Norwell in 1970, where they built a beautiful house with an attached apartment for René’s parents and an art studio in the basement for Patti. She cultivated a beautiful garden and home there. René traveled quite a bit for work at that time, and Patti cheerfully (mostly) managed a household with six kids, her in-laws, a couple of cats, and a stray dog. She helped with homework and in giving “artistic flair”to the kids’ report covers! Her love of all things beautiful was infectious, and she was so demonstrative that it was impossible not to appreciate it. She taught her kids about classical music, art, and flowers, but also to be curious learners and compassionate people. Family dinners were a nightly and memorable routine, always at a nicely set table. Many paintings were sold, and she taught art to enable her family to spend summers on Ocean Park, a few houses down from her brother’s rented house. Patti’s photo albums depict their many happy times together on the beach and on their porches. Memories created during Vineyard summers are an integral part of the entire family’s history.
During the ’80s, Patti helped her three daughters plan and orchestrate their weddings on the Island. She enjoyed the process so much she decided to start her own wedding consulting business, An Island Affair. While the Vineyard has always been a popular wedding destination, Patti was one of the first people to offer planning services. Her artistic influence, cheerful demeanor, and excellent organizational skills helped create wonderful wedding memories for countless families. She enjoyed lasting friendships with many of her brides and their families.
René’s French upbringing and ancestry inspired Patti and René to take several trips to Europe to visit family. Patti especially loved these trips, and created many beautiful paintings there. Dubbed “les Americains” by their French relatives and friends, they returned with lots of wonderful stories, photos, and memories to share.
Patti’s depth of character and ability to see beauty was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her enormous spirit and love are beautifully woven into the fabric of her family. She leaves her beloved husband of 62 years, René, and her brother Richard Burke. She also leaves sons Richard Blanc, Christopher Blanc, and Timothy Blanc, and daughters Deborah Duhon, Linda Young, Lisa Stewart, and their spouses. She adored her 14 wonderful grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. It has been incredibly poignant exchanging stories with family and friends who have shared the ways she influenced their lives. She will be missed and appreciated forever.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
The post Patricia Ann Blanc appeared first on Martha's Vineyard Times.