Blanche Ulmer Pavlis

Blanche Ulmer (Mrs. Anthony G.) Pavlis died on Tuesday, August 16, in Norfolk, VA after a short illness. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Conrad Ulmer of Jacksonville, FL and the grand-daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Vandiveer Porter of Jacksonville.

In 1953 she was married to Captain Anthony George Pavlis, Royal Hellenic Navy, in Athens, Greece. He was at that time a member of the Royal Court as Master of the Household for King Paul. They lived briefly in New Orleans, and then for 29 years in Riverside, CT. Upon his retirement from Transoceanic Marine Inc. in New York, they moved to Jacksonville and summered in Highlands, NC. Mr. Pavlis died in December, 1998.

Born in Jacksonville, Mrs. Pavlis graduated from Bartram School, Vassar College and the University of Florida (M.A.). She taught for over twenty years at Bartram School, Athens High School, Greenwich Country Day School, and in Kenya with the U.S. Peace Corps.

She was active in the Vassar Clubs of Jacksonville and Greenwich, CT and was chairman of three class reunions at the college, including the 65th. As a member of the Junior Leagues of Jacksonville and Greenwich, she wrote songs for their Follies and fundraisers. One of her great interests was the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund, through which she hosted many boys from New York City in the summer. She was active in the UNICEF Trick or Treat program, and for two years was Co-Editor of the Greenwich Social Review.

Mrs. Pavlis is survived by five children: Mr. Paul A. Pavlis of Los Angeles, CA; Mr. George A. Pavlis of Greenwich, CT; Mr. Alfred U. Pavlis of Fairfield, CT; Dr. Maria C. Pavlis (Glasser) of Greenwich, CT, and Mrs. K. Ruth Gasparino of Darien, CT. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren- Alison, Emily, Michael, Nicholas, William, Dora, Philip, David, Anna, Mike Jr., Christy, Tommy, and Katie and many loving nephews and nieces.

A public visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home in Jacksonville, Florida. A memorial service will be held at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in South Jacksonville on Thursday, August 25, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery with family at graveside. Anyone wishing to do so should make a contribution to the charity or church of one’s choice. Arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Edgewood Funeral Home, 904-388-2711.