Ann Keller Blanchard Sr.

Ann Keller Blanchard, 98, died January 7, 2011. She was born February 2, 1913 at Fort Yellowstone, Wyoming, daughter of Frank Keller and Margaret Murphy Keller. She grew up in Kansas, attended St. Mary of the Woods College in Indiana and graduated with honors (Magna Com Laude and Mortar Board) from the University of Arizona with a degree in English. In 1934 she married Robert Moore Blanchard, her dear husband for 66 years. As the granddaughter, daughter, wife and mother of American Army officers, Ann traveled widely, living in the Phillipines, Greece, Italy and Taiwan, as well as many locations in the United States, moving 22 times in her adult life. She was always interested in learning, was adventurous and served well as a cultural “Ambassador” wherever she went. Having been stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Ann and Bob retired in San Antonio where they both became skilled painters. Ann, a gifted writer, also wrote a memoir entitled, My Life and Times. She is the dearly beloved mother of four children, Bob Blanchard, Margaret Blanchard, Ann Blanchard, Mary Blanchard Bowe, one son-in-law, Robert Bowe, one daughter-in-law, Mary Cardell Blanchard; and three partners, Bernice Mennis, S.B. Sowbel, and Kathy Herrington, She was also the beloved “Grandma Central” of Robert, Catherine, Patrick, Marguerite, and their spouses: Paula, John, Tracy and Dan; and great grandmother of Amanda and Matt Lubisich; Renee, Taylor, and Kelsey Blanchard; Jake, Jessica and Mike Dertke, as well as mom to her “adopted daughters”: Margaret Brown, W. Ruth Harris, Susie Hernandez, Isabel Resendez, and Barbara Travis. Throughout her life, Ann was an active supporter of a wide variety of charities, with particular interest in orphanages. She was a skilled athlete enjoying equestrian skills, tennis, basketball, and golf. She was also an avid dog lover. A few years after her husband’s death in 1999, Ann moved into the Incarnate Word Retirement Community where her graciousness and kindness were admired and reciprocated. She was known to family and friends for her intelligence, sense of humor, good sportsmanship, tolerance, and caring interest in people. She will be remembered for her wisdom, her love, her devotion to her faith, her appreciation of life, her generosity, playfulness and very positive attitude. She believed her life had been particularly blessed and in turn she blessed her family and friends with a special radiance. Her family is grateful for all the good care, particularly Sister’s Care,that she received toward the end of her long interesting life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. PJ’s Children’s Home, Sister’s Care, and SPCA.

A rosary will be held at St. Joseph’s Chapel (2nd floor) at The Village at Incarnate Word Retirement Community (4707 Broadway) on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 6:45PM. A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 1:00PM at the Main Post Chapel at Ft. Sam Houston. Please bring identification with you upon entering Ft. Sam Houston. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.