Blanche J Pagel

PAGEL, Blanche J. (DeBarbieri) 88, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2015 from injuries suffered in a fall. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Rolf; daughters, Mary Williamson (Nicky), Helen Bauer (Mindy Edwards), Caren Pagel Zackson (Steve, dec.), and predeceased by Liz Pagel Strykowski (John): grandchildren, Kimberly Billings, Erin Bauer, Brynn Notto, Rod Abdolhosseini (Darla), Haleh Pinney (Michael), Ricky Alpers (Chrystal), and Louise Pacheco (Mark): great-grandchildren, Kellen, Lola, Spencer, Ava, Riley, Annalise, Addison, Teegan, Nolan, Alyssa, Krystal and Thomas: niece, Audrey Troici (Frank) and nephew Charles DeBarbieri (Delores): dear friends, Richard and Cheryl Alpers, Tony and Barbara Catalioto and many, many more. Blanche was born on November 30, 1926 in Manhattan, NY. She was the youngest of four siblings, the others being Joseph, Helen and Louis. The DeBarbieri family divided their time between New York City and High Falls, New York where they owned and operated a boarding house which Blanche loved. Blanche and Rolf met through her friend on a roller skating date when she was a student at Washington Irving High School. Blanche and Rolf married on February 13, 1945 while Rolf was serving in the Army and ultimately stationed in Hawaii. In 1948, they bought a home in New Hyde Park, LI where the family lived until 1973 when Blanche and Rolf moved to New Hampshire. During the time the children were in school, Blanche was active in the PTA and served as president of the Music Boosters Club. She often chaired fundraising events and both she and Rolf worked tirelessly on behalf of all the students in the Herricks Schools. Blanche was a meticulous furniture refinisher and also had an extraordinary eye as a home decorator. As a result, all of the family homes were beautifully appointed. She raised four daughters, was the CEO of the Pagel Clan, community service volunteer and professional homemaker extraordinaire. Family, friends and neighbors all knew that Blanche was the go-to person for the best recipes, decorating advice, laundry and stain solutions and all other household dilemmas. She made Eloise look like an amateur; Blanche’s attention to detail was second to none and every project was undertaken with extreme care and passion. After moving to Amherst, NH, Blanche became an avid bridge player and was an active member of the Amherst Villagers. With the addition of a vacation home in Bristol, NH she was both an excellent captain and first mate on the powerboat they enjoyed on Newfound Lake. Family visits to the lake and spending time on the boat were very special times for the entire family. In more recent years, Blanche and Rolf purchased a beautiful condominium on the Gulf in South Pasadena, Florida and became “snow birds”, dividing their time between Florida and New Hampshire. As members of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, they enjoyed the wonderful meals and camaraderie of friends. Blanche was also an active participant in the Ladies Beach Club. For more than 20 years she was a proud and committed volunteer at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. Blanche J. Pagel was a woman of extraordinary strength, tenacity, faith and dignity and a devout Catholic. She was a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Bristol and St. John Vianney Church in St. Pete Beach. A funeral mass will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church on Monday, January 26 at 12 noon with a reception immediately following at Harbourside Clubhouse 7911 Sailboat Key Blvd. S., South Pasadena. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to All Children’s Hospital: www.allkids.org The Pagel family would like to express their appreciation to friends and family for their support during this difficult time.