Sarah “Blanche” McArthur, 89, passed away Friday, November 23, 2018 at her home in Woodland Hills Retirement Community in Clive after suffering a brief decline following a heart attack. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2018 in the Greenwood Room of Plymouth Congregational Church.
She is survived by her daughters, Gail Dubberke and her children, Michael, Benjamin, Jessica Dubberke (Scott Sheehy), Heather (Rigo) Osorio with their daughter, Liliana; Paula McArthur (Ruben Luna), Pamela (Oscar) Ballard and their children, Sierra, Jerica, and Jacob; and sister from Canada, Ruth (Jim) Bodner and family.
Blanche was born February, 22, 1929 and grew up in a small town of Hillsburgh, Canada. A valedictorian of her high school class, she went on to study nursing in Toronto. There she met her husband, Dave, on a blind date. This dashing soldier from Scotland, who had fought in WWII, captured her heart and they were wed on September 1, 1951.
Blanche worked in the field of nursing for three decades. As the family settled from Canada to Iowa, she held a position in the operating rooms of Iowa Methodist Medical Center for 26 years. Upon retirement, Blanche continued being involved in activities that showed her faith and a desire to be of service: serving as a deaconess at Plymouth Church, volunteering with the Cancer Society/Red Cross, and visiting the elderly.
Blanche had a passion for shopping and a flair for fashion. She instilled in her daughters a belief in the power of education, provided them enrichment through the arts, and encouraged them to see the world.
Her husband, David, took her to many lands from Great Britain, Korea and Russia. They enjoyed several cruises together. Yet the wonder of faraway sights never compared to the joyful fellowship of dear neighborhood friends.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff of Woodlands Creek Retirement Community for their gracious and compassionate care. Special praise to Christy Marshall a patient companion and trusted helper whose love strengthened and cheerfully comforted Blanche in her widowed years.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that in honoring her legacy, donations be made to the American Red Cross or Plymouth Congregational Church for the Tower Fund.
