Obituary Linda Blanchard

Linda Dorothy (Cook) Blanchard, age 83, passed away on February 22, 2023, at home in Grass Valley in the presence of her husband.

A Memorial celebration of life will be held at Twin Cities Church in May

Born January 11, 1940 in Lincoln Nebraska to Dudley and Marcia Cook. She lived and attended schools in the southeast United States until her family moved to Southern California where she completed high school. She attended UCLA for several years then moved to France, married and had two sons. She attended the University of Lyon and received a Licence degree. She taught in French schools until returning to Los Angeles with her sons, completing a teaching credential at USC, then teaching in Culver City schools. She met and married Dave in 1972, embracing his two boys as her own and temporarily retiring from teaching to be a full-time wife and mother and raise her blended family of four boys. Later, returning to teaching, she eventually founded and ran an after-school day care facility in West LA. She and Dave moved to Grass Valley in 1993. After working with Dave to build a new home she held several part time teaching positions including a year at Christian Encounter Ministries before retiring permanently. She and Dave celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2022.

Linda followed Jesus Christ and was a member of Twin Cities church. She was a member of DAR, Inner Wheel and Celtic Society. She loved reading, Bible study, music, her cats, nature, flowers (especially roses and iris) in her garden, and was an avid birdwatcher. She was adventurous and enjoyed the outdoors: hiking, backpacking and camping. She liked travelling; she and Dave visited 49 of the states in the USA and many of the European and Scandinavian countries.

Linda was a very compassionate, caring and welcoming person. Generous, kind and loyal to all. She was a talented cook, knowledgeable with French cuisine. She loved to share her life’s experiences and was also a good listener. She passionately loved her family and friends, always ready to welcome them into her life and home.

Survived by her husband, David Blanchard of Grass Valley, sons James Blanchard, Steve Blanchard (Michelle), Ken Blanchard (Lisa Shea), Daughter-in-law, Sarah Blanchard, Grandchildren Evan, Julia, and Charles, God-daughters Anne McGuinness and Diana Mendez plus various nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents Dudley and Marcia Cook, brother David Cook, son Sam Blanchard and best friend Liz Lowrey

We want to thank Hospice of the Foothills staff for their care and especially all the caregivers who daily cared for Linda at home during the last 16 months of her life.

Arrangements are under the care of Hooper and Weaver Mortuary