Jean R. Blankenship

Age 83 of Mesa passed away at home on October 26, 2012 after a long illness. She was born in Arlington, Washington on February 12, 1929 to Richard Blair Palmer and Irene Rosalie Palmer. Jean moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1937 with her mother and brother to join her father who was working there in the mines.

Jean graduated from Fairbanks High School in 1946 and left Alaska for Seattle in 1948. She worked in Seattle for a few years before moving to San Francisco to take a position in the fur and fashion industry. She met and married Richard Blankenship, a Detective with the San Francisco Police Department, who later worked and invested in Real Estate. Together they bought property and managed a Hunting Lodge in Gardiner, Montana where Jean took long rides on her beloved Appaloosa horse whenever time permitted.

Jean and her husband spent the winters in Arizona, enjoying golf, entertaining and life in general. Jean was a happy person, always with a kind word for everyone. She enjoyed her longtime friends at the Arizona Golf Resort and participated in many social activities. Richard passed away in 1981 at age 83. Jean is survived by her brother William Palmer, Nephews Eddie, Richard and Billy Palmer, Nieces Susan Rivas and Christina Beaudoin as well as longtime friend Carolyn Denton. She loved and appreciated her wonderful Caregivers who made life the best it could be for her.

Services for Jean will be held at Melchers Mortuary Mission Chapel, 6625 East Main St. Mesa at 11 a.m. on Wednesday November 7th, 2012.

Donations suggested to the Arizona Humane Society, 1521 West Dobbins Road, Phoenix AZ 85041 or the American Cancer Society, 2929 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix 85016 in lieu of flowers.

Please join us in celebrating Jean's life by visiting our Memorial at www.MelcherMission.com.