Helen Holmes Blanc passed away at Emanuel Medical Center on Friday surrounded by her family.
Helen was born in Oakland, Calif. to Hiram and Dora Smith. After moving to Turlock, Hiram was a gold miner in the Jenny Lind area and Dora became a bookkeeper at Turlock's Palace Meat Market. At an early age, Helen came to live with her Mama Morrrison. Grandpa and Mama Morrison were dairy farmers on East Avenue in Turlock. There she met Joe Blanc Sr., who has been the love of her life for 74 years. She and Joe had two wonderful boys, Joe Jr. and Harold. In 74 years they were rarely seen apart from one another.
Helen, who being raised on a dairy and becoming a farmer's wife, “had her feet in the dirt most of her life.” Helen worked hard on the family farm on Griffith Avenue, always making sure Joe Sr. had a fresh cup of coffee at 10 a.m. sharp. She believed that family always came first. Vacations to Arizona were scheduled around the holidays, always leaving just after Christmas to ensure they were home before Easter. She was a P.T.A. president and Den mother for her boys when they attended school. The boys could bring any friend home and she would welcome them as if they were her own. Always prepared to feed an army or maybe just lending a clean towel, Helen never turned them away. Her boys describe her as “the most amazing mother.” She was a faithful member of the Crossroads Church where she took great joy in being a secretary for her Sunday school class. After her and Joe's retirement, one of their many ministries to the church was spending every Saturday sharpening the pew pencils for the Sunday morning service.
Helen also loved to do personal needle points for her family creating a unique Christmas ornament for her children and grandchildren. She is remembered each Christmas as family trees are decorated with these precious mementos. Her generous spirit, loving heart and cute little smile has touched many people through the years.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Dora and Hiram Smith; her only brother, Harold Smith; her son, Richard Blanc; granddaughter, Julie Cox; and daughter-in-law, Judy Moe Blanc.
Helen leaves behind husband, Joe Sr. and sons, Joe Jr., and Harold (Kathy) Blanc, all of Turlock; grandsons Jon, Todd, Ryan and Marc Blanc; granddaughter, Cheryse Nelson; eight great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 17 at Allen Mortuary. A graveside service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, March 18 at Turlock Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen Blanc’s name to: Crossroads Church, 1360 N. Johnson Rd., Turlock, CA 95380.
Please share your condolences on line at www.allenmortuary.com.
Helen was born in Oakland, Calif. to Hiram and Dora Smith. After moving to Turlock, Hiram was a gold miner in the Jenny Lind area and Dora became a bookkeeper at Turlock's Palace Meat Market. At an early age, Helen came to live with her Mama Morrrison. Grandpa and Mama Morrison were dairy farmers on East Avenue in Turlock. There she met Joe Blanc Sr., who has been the love of her life for 74 years. She and Joe had two wonderful boys, Joe Jr. and Harold. In 74 years they were rarely seen apart from one another.
Helen, who being raised on a dairy and becoming a farmer's wife, “had her feet in the dirt most of her life.” Helen worked hard on the family farm on Griffith Avenue, always making sure Joe Sr. had a fresh cup of coffee at 10 a.m. sharp. She believed that family always came first. Vacations to Arizona were scheduled around the holidays, always leaving just after Christmas to ensure they were home before Easter. She was a P.T.A. president and Den mother for her boys when they attended school. The boys could bring any friend home and she would welcome them as if they were her own. Always prepared to feed an army or maybe just lending a clean towel, Helen never turned them away. Her boys describe her as “the most amazing mother.” She was a faithful member of the Crossroads Church where she took great joy in being a secretary for her Sunday school class. After her and Joe's retirement, one of their many ministries to the church was spending every Saturday sharpening the pew pencils for the Sunday morning service.
Helen also loved to do personal needle points for her family creating a unique Christmas ornament for her children and grandchildren. She is remembered each Christmas as family trees are decorated with these precious mementos. Her generous spirit, loving heart and cute little smile has touched many people through the years.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Dora and Hiram Smith; her only brother, Harold Smith; her son, Richard Blanc; granddaughter, Julie Cox; and daughter-in-law, Judy Moe Blanc.
Helen leaves behind husband, Joe Sr. and sons, Joe Jr., and Harold (Kathy) Blanc, all of Turlock; grandsons Jon, Todd, Ryan and Marc Blanc; granddaughter, Cheryse Nelson; eight great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 17 at Allen Mortuary. A graveside service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, March 18 at Turlock Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen Blanc’s name to: Crossroads Church, 1360 N. Johnson Rd., Turlock, CA 95380.
Please share your condolences on line at www.allenmortuary.com.
