Patricia Ann Blanchard

Patricia “Pat” Blanchard passed away on January 7, 2026 in Melbourne FL at the age of 87. Pat was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Jack Blanchard, parents, Helen and Bert Papp, nine aunts and uncles, and many cousins.

She is survived by her children Lisa, Chris (Agnes), Kevin (Danica), and Mark (Martina), brother, Al Papp, sister-in-law Bette Blanchard, and cousins Evelyn Paget and Elaine Ryan. Pat also leaves behind nephews Alan (Marcelle) Papp, Brian Papp (Holly), Bob (Robert) Papp, Kerry (Kristin) Blanchard, Keith (Lindsey) Blanchard, Tim Hudon, and niece Michelle Ponturo. Pat was a loving grandmother to Elise (Jonathan) Frandsen, Jenny (Josh) Strayer, Trenton Blanchard, Blake Blanchard, Owen Blanchard, Kian Blanchard, and three great-grandchildren, Lily, Caleb, and Noel Strayer.

Pat was born on August 8, 1938 in Bridgeport CT and lived in her hometown of Fairfield. After graduating high school, she attended St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Fairfield. She graduated with her nursing license in 1959, and started working there as a nurse at the hospital. It was soon after that she met her future husband, Jack. On May 14, 1960 Pat and Jack were married and moved to Maine, where they welcomed their daughter early the next year. When Jack finished Officer Training School, Pat continued the life of being an Air Force wife, and their small family moved to Texas, where the family grew with the addition of three sons. In 1966, mom and the children moved to East Hartland CT while Jack spent a year in Vietnam. In 1968, the entire family moved to Schierstein, Germany. Upon returning to the United States in 1972, the family moved to Chantilly VA. Pat did not return to the nursing field, but started working in office administration for a dentist in the area. In 1978 the family moved to Dumfries, VA. Like Jack, Pat was involved with parish life at St. Francis of Assisi, and she helped in the parish office.

In 1987 Pat and Jack decided to make the move to Fern Park FL and Pat was hired as the Adult Center Secretary at St. Mary Magdalen Parish. Pat continued working at the Adult Center until she retired. She loved working there and made friends with her co-workers over the years; keeping in touch with many of them long after Pat and Jacked moved to Melbourne in 2012. At St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pat became active with the Catholic Council of Women (CCW), and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus 6125, where she served as Secretary and worked on the Publicity Committee for many years.

Pat enjoyed embarking on cruises and taking weekend get-aways at Disney hotels or other places in various parts of Florida with Jack. She enjoyed watching figure skating, constructing diamond jewel art projects, plants, fishing, and discovering new recipes. She loved being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She led a full life in her 87 years and she will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.

A funeral mass will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:00 am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Stadium Parkway in Melbourne, FL. Burial will be held at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s name can be made to K of C Council 6125 for their Right to Life Charity.