Shirley Maxine Blanchard
March 23, 1925 - February 20, 2021
Obituary
Shirley Maxine (Beidler) Blanchard passed away peacefully in her sleep, family by her side, in Tacoma, WA on February 20, 2021 due to complications from pneumonia.
Shirley was born in Wallowa, OR on March 23, 1925 to Herbert and Augusta Beidler. She met Donald (Don) Blanchard when they were in high school in Pendleton, OR. After high school, Shirley worked at the Munitions Depot in Umatilla, OR while Don served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
After Don was discharged from the Navy, they married and moved to Richland, WA where Don worked at Hanford, and their eldest daughter Ellen was born. After a short stay in Richland, they moved to Corvallis, OR where Don received a degree in electrical engineering in 1954 from Oregon State University. Shortly afterwards, Shirley, Don, Ellen, and their new son Steve moved to Seattle, and Don began his 32-year career at the Boeing Company.
Shirley and Don soon added four more children to the brood: Susan, Nancy, Jeff and Terri. With six kids in the house, there was no shortage of demands for their attention and time. To give Shirley a break from this daily commotion, they joined a local square dance club. Square dancing became a major influence in the life of their family. Shirley and Don were charter members of the Hoot-N-Hollers Square Dance Club and active members of the square dance community for many years. There were annual Hoot-N-Holler campouts and Christmas parties. These events were highlights of our childhood, and they hold special memories for all of us to this day.
Shirley and Don served as general chairs for the 30th National Square Dance Convention held in 1981 in Seattle, WA. This event held the record as the world’s largest square dance at that time. They eventually became board members of the National Square Dance Association, earning the coveted McGregor Award. They enjoyed the many friends they made square dancing and travelling around the country and abroad.
After they retired, they spent their winter months in Apache Junction, AZ with many of the friends they made over the years of square dancing. As the years passed, Don’s eyesight began to fail, and they moved to Merrill Gardens in Renton, WA. Don passed away in June 2010, and since then Shirley began to show signs of dementia, moving to Villa Vecchio at Dash Point. The care she received at Villa Vecchio adult family home was unsurpassed. We are grateful to Mel and Sue Berglund and their staff for the love and care they gave Shirley over the last eight years.
Shirley was preceded in death by Don, her brother Sherman (Bud) and daughter Ellen. She is survived by their five remaining children, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
She now joins Don, the love of her life, who is no doubt sharing a do-si-do with his bride of 65 years. Her sweet and calm demeanor will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
A small family gathering to honor Shirley’s legacy will take place at a later date.
Shirley is another one of those great matriarchs! I will always remember her generosity when I went on my “vacation over the big water”. She and Don have raise a bunch of great kids!
Beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman- mother, wife, grandmother. I am so glad I had the good fortune to meet Shirley and family and even more so, to become dear friends with her daughter, Nancy. Rest in peace beautiful soul and spin away on that dance floor with your beloved. My most heartfelt condolences to the family- Lora
Constance Lanigan
Mrs. Blanchard never raised her voice yet you never missed what she said. Her love for Mr. Blanchard was forever and ever….her smile and laugh infectious.. thank you for so many memories…our lives were blessed…. love to all of you
A beautiful tribute to your mom. I will always have fond memories of our square dancing days and sleepovers when we were kids, it was so much fun. My thoughts are with you and your whole family.
Lorraine Reasy
How can I express my heart felt feelings to all of you for the loss of your Mom. She was such a kind and passionate woman never did I see her that she didn’t have a smile. Our square dancing, potlucks, etc.with your Mom and Dad were unforgettable and you kids and ours all learning to square dance and making many trips around Washington and Canada made it even more special. She is in a special place now with the one she loved the most. She will be missed.
What beautiful childhood memories comeback to me as I thinks of your Mom and Dad, Dancing with them in our livingroom before a Square Dance. Dancing at Hoot and Holler dances at the Hall and at Hagens Barn, we called it Whoop and Holler as our parents brought so much fun and laughter to the Square. The smile of your mom as we circled to the left and weave the ring..The true friendship of as our parents , square dance campouts, The sewing of the dresses, and costumes for the themes, Shirley will always be remember as a bright light in my heart as all of your family.. A Generation that is truely missed with good values… Love you all and await our great reuion..
Love Virginia Dana
Kathy Chase (Trimble)
I grew up knowing both Don and Shirley. The were good friends with my folks, Kenn & Ginny Trimble through the world of square dancing. They were mom and dad’s Vice Chairmen for the 1969 National Square Dance Convention. I will miss her very much. She was such a great lady.
We really enjoyed getting to know them while working on the 81 Convention. They both were always so nice and had such beautiful smiles. Rest in peace Shirley and Don. You are missed. Ron and Pat
Jim Knight