Blanche Jane Lombardi passed away peacefully on the 7th day of January at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. Blanche was born on the 2nd day of April, 1928 in Tuscarora Pennsylvania where she grew up. She moved to Jersey City New Jersey in the 1940s and then to Howell and Brick New Jersey until 1997. She spent the last 20+ years of her life in the Four Seasons Community in Lakewood New Jersey. Blanche is survived by her son, Mark Walko and his wife, Sarit, a sister, Helen Lilick, four grandchildren; Casey, Carley, Michelle, and Brittany and four great-grandchildren; Riley, Reagan, Declan, and Rory whom she is lovingly known to as “Nanna.”
Blanche was married to Florian “Bud” Lombardi until he lost his battle to cancer in 1989. Following his departure, the Florian J. Lombardi foundation was created with Blanche as President for the past three decades. Blanche has touched so many lives over the years through her charitable endeavors focused mainly in Monmouth and Ocean County. She believed in giving back to the local community and supported charities such as the Lakewood Philharmonic, Georgian Court, Fulfill, Jersey Shore Medical, Newark Beth Israel, St. Gregory’s Food Pantry, Toms River Field of Dreams, and Deborah Heart and Lung Center, among others. Blanche also belonged to the Four Seasons Singles club and the Irish Woman’s Club. Her example of a life well lived is a blueprint for how we may try to emulate doing the good that she practiced.
Due to the Covid pandemic, a private mass and burial will be held with immediate family on Monday January 17th. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday April 23rd at Eagle Oaks Country Club in Farmingdale New Jersey at 12pm for all who would like to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fulfill Food Bank in Neptune City, N.J.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DEliaFuneralHome.com for the Lombardi-Walko families.