Sister Sandra Blanchard

Sister Sandra Blanchard, a Sister of St. Joseph for 68 years, passed away at the Sisters of St. Joseph Convent in Baton Rouge on Friday, December 9, 2022 at age 86. She was born in Baton Rouge, La. to the late Blanche Rodriguez and Hayden Thomas Blanchard, Sr. and baptized Sandra Theresa. She is survived by two sisters, Ann B. Deshotel and Loretta B. Cook, one brother, Father Donald Blanchard, one sister-in-law Laura Brister Blanchard , and many beloved nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great nephews. Besides her parents she is pre-deceased by her, sister Jeanne B. McManus , brothers Hayden, Gordon and Larry and brothers-in-law Billy Cook Roland Deshotel John McManus. Sister Sandra graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Baton Rouge in 1954 and entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in New Orleans in that year. She professed first vows in 1956 and perpetual vows in 1961. Sister Sandra graduated from St. Mary's Dominican College in New Orleans in 1960 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and earned a Master's in Education with a major in counseling in 1978. Her ministry in Catholic education spanned 53 ½ years beginning in 1958 in New Orleans at St. Ann and St. Rose schools and continued at St. Frances Cabrini. She ministered at St. Ignatius in Grand Coteau, La., St. Pius X in New Orleans, St. George in Baton Rouge, St. Rita in Harahan, La., and St. Alphonsus in Greenwell Springs, La. Sister Sandra was principal for two years at St. Ann in New Orleans and 7 years at St. George in Baton Rouge. By 1980 she served as guidance counselor, first at St. George and later at St. Alphonsus. She was also a member of the administrative team at all three schools. She retired in 2009. Sister Sandra attended many in-service offerings throughout her life to update her educational and counseling background and to avail herself of spirituality and personal growth opportunities as they arose. Her many interests ranged from her love of choral music to keeping in touch with her large family and the family of her dear friend, Sister Evelyn Mee, enjoying the beauty of nature and developing her artistic skills. Special thanks to the staff at the convent in Baton Rouge for their loving care during Sister Sandra's final days. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 2250 Main Street in Baton Rouge and will be followed by a mass of Christian burial, officiated by Father Donald Blanchard. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. All are welcome to a reception in the parish hall. Donations in Sister Sandra's memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 3134 Hundred Oaks Avenue, Baton Rouge, La. 70808. Funeral Home: Rabenhorst, 825 Government St., (225) 383-6831.