Mary Ann Blanchard

On January 14, 2024, around 1:00am, our Mother, Mary Ann Shields Blanchard, who is already dearly missed, passed on to our Lord.  She was born in 1942, in Milwaukee, WI.  Mary moved with her family to Bisbee, AZ and a few years later to Phoenix where she lived her life.  She attended North High School for her first two years and Camelback High for the last two years, graduating in 1960.

A few years later she met John Paul Blanchard, whom she was married to for 52 years until his passing in 2014.  She was the best wife and mother, volunteering in all different aspects of her children's lives.  In addition to that, she was the bookkeeper for John's businesses, worked for many years at Gemini Uniform Store and the Southwest Airlines Credit Union.  

She left behind three adult children: Kathleen Garcia (Bernardo), Kevin Blanchard and Kristine Knapp (Joe). She had 8 grandchildren, 3 adult step-grandchildren and their families, plus one that preceded her into heaven as a newborn. She also had 6 great-grandchildren, along with one that also preceded her into heaven as a newborn. She was beloved by her parents, her sister Nancy Derickson (Mary's brother-in-law Louis Derickson that has also passed on), her brother and sister-in-law (Allen and Elaine Blanchard), 2 nephews, a niece, along with 2 step-nieces and their families. 

Mary was kind to all she met, enjoyed family and friends' get-togethers, hosting holiday meals and parties. She volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and in her Church's St. Vincent de Paul Society for a few years after John's passing despite her rheumatoid arthritis she suffered with for about 50 years. We miss her and will forever love her.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00- 7:00 P.M. with Rosary prayers at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., in Phoenix. Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, January 26, 2024 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Rd., in Phoenix. Burial will immediately follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St., in Phoenix.