Sally Blanchette Anderson

Sally Lew Orsborn was born February 22, 1942, in Beaumont, Texas, to parents Marion Black Orsborn and Lewis Ollie Orsborn. She departed this world on Monday, July 6, 2026, to be with her Heavenly Father.

Sally graduated from Beaumont High School in 1960. She went on to study journalism at Lamar University before marrying Jack Blanchette and beginning their family.

An ideal day for Sally was a crisp fall afternoon with the curtains and windows wide open welcoming fresh air into the house. She would tend her garden with her beloved dogs, have a roast in the oven and the Dallas Cowboys on the television.

Although Sally spent most of her life in Texas, she cherished the years she lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her second husband, Gerald Lamar Anderson. During her time there, she developed a deep appreciation for the beauty, history, and culture of the Southwest. She became an avid collector of Native American pottery, artwork, and textiles, and took great pride in her own Native American heritage. Sally especially loved sharing the story of her paternal grandfather, Ollie Orsborn, who served as sheriff of Van Zandt County, Texas. She admired that he wore a braid down his back in honor of his Comanche ancestry, a tradition that reflected the heritage she held so dear.

Sally was a beautiful, intelligent, and fiercely strong woman who taught those around her countless valuable lessons through her resilience, wisdom, and love.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Peggy Orsborn Dagerath; and her son in law, Dr. Michael H. Berler.

She is survived by her daughter, Tracy Blanchette Vardiman and her husband, Dr. Arnold B. Vardiman; her daughter, Jacquline “Jill” Berler; and her son, Kelly Lee Blanchette and his wife, Ruby Roxanna Blanchette. One of Sally's greatest joys in life was her grandchildren, who survive her: Phoebe Bay Vardiman; Claude-Duval Noah Vardiman; Marion Beau Sanchez and her husband, Gabriel Armand Sanchez; Hallie Louise Marcott; Jackson Peace Blanchette; and Jake McGee Blanchette. Sally is also survived by her two nephews, Morris Dagerath and Michael Dagerath.

Her family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care she received from the caregivers at The Village at Incarnate Word. A private memorial service will be held at The Village at Incarnate Word. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Ecumenical Center, 8310 Ewing Halsell Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229 (https://www.ecrh.org/donate/).