Geraldine Sahuque Blanke

Geraldine “Gerry” Sahuque Blanke passed away peacefully Saturday, December 14, 2019 at age 88 at her home in Metairie surrounded by loved ones. She was preceded in death by William “Bill” Blanke, her husband of 54 years.

She is greatly missed by her 5 children; William Blanke (Bonnie), Kenneth Blanke (Rosalie), Lynn Madore (Kelan), Patricia Duet (John Paul), and Thomas Blanke (Frances, recently deceased).

Gerry is also missed by her 13 grandchildren; Leslie Blanke, Billy Blanke (Amanda), Lauren Blanke (Christopher), Emily Blanke (Joe), Daniel Blanke (Kerri), Kenny Blanke (Michelle), Timmy Blanke (Amy), Travis Blanke (Katie), Matthew Blanke (Amy), Andrew Blanke, John Paul Duet, Elizabeth Duet, and Patrick Madore (Angie).

She took a special delight in playing with her great grandchildren; Gabriella Blanke, Mackenzie Blanke, Christian Blanke, Kenneth Blanke III, Alex Blanke, Elliot Hummel and Emmet Hummel. Even at age 88 she would get down on the floor to play with them as they emptied out her famous toy closet.

Gerry is also survived by her devoted sisters JoAnn Gianoli (Johnny) and Louise Cunningham (the late UJ), and her brother Paul (the late Dorothy).

She is a popular aunt and great-aunt to a host of nieces and nephews.

Gerry was proud to be born and raised in the Irish Channel in New Orleans. She was born New Year's Day, 1931 to the late Robert and Annie Lauer Sahuque and was one of 8 children all raised together in the small “shotgun” house on Laurel Street. She was preceded in death by her brothers Robert Sahuque, John Sahuque, and her sisters Marie Dwyer, and Rita Peifer.

She and her husband Bill enjoyed taking long walks along the Pontchartrain levee in Metairie, dancing at the Jefferson Orleans on Friday nights, watching the ponies at the Fairgrounds and attended the University of New Orleans where she was an Art History Major. She loved gardening, painting, traveling and swimming. Gerry was a parishioner of St. Clement of Rome in Metairie and enjoyed attending Mass while on her travels and at the old historic churches in New Orleans. She had a devotion to the Sainthood of Father Seelos.

In the years following the passing of her husband Gerry continued to be the heart of her family. Nothing gave her more pleasure than to be with them- celebrating birthdays, special events, and holidays. She was always ready with a smile and hug for everyone and was ever grateful for her family and her faith.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the services at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, on Friday, December 20, 2019. Visitation will begin at 11 AM. A rosary will be said at 12:30 PM, followed by Words of Remembrance. The Funeral Mass will begin at 1 PM. Interment will follow Mass in Lake Lawn Park.

To view and sign the family guestbook please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com