Blanche Mae Fennell

January 16, 1947 - January 26, 2025

In loving memory ~

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Blanche Mae Fennell, a much-loved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, daughter and sister.

Blanche was born to Jim and Dorthy Cobb on Jan. 16, 1947, in Forsyth, Montana. Jim, a rancher, ironworker and sometimes bull-rider, and Dorthy, a no-nonsense homemaker and part-time ranch hand, taught young Blanche and her sister Betty-Lou the value of hard work and - since they didn't always have it - indoor plumbing.

Thinking their fortunes might be in Alaska, the family migrated north when Blanche was still in elementary school. But they only got as far as the stunning landscapes of Central B.C. and instead became landed immigrants on July 17, 1958.

Blanche went to school in Barriere and, lucky for Robin Fennell, was extremely patient where Robin's complicated courting style was concerned. Robin became smitten with Blanche after seeing her at a 4H event in Kamloops, however, she ignored him. The next time he saw her, they were both at a party in Squam Bay. Emboldened by a sudden power outage that left the party in darkness, Robin walked over to his frightened future wife and scooped her easily into his arms. Yet the relationship still wasn't official! About a week later, while he was at work, Robin sent his friend to deliver a note to Blanche at school. The note said there was a stuffed toy dog located in the back seat of his car, and if Blanche wanted to go steady, she should take the dog. When Robin returned to his car that afternoon, the dog was gone.

Blanche and Robin were married on Oct. 2, 1965 at the Anglican Church in Barriere, thus beginning nearly 60 years of marriage. They had two children, Marty and Randy, in 1967 and 1970, respectively. Robin worked for the BC Forest Service, a career that took the family of four to many different communities over the years, including 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Riske Creek, Likely and Summit Lake before finally settling permanently in Clinton, a community that Blanche adored. And by that time, she was no longer a landed immigrant but a proud Canadian citizen.

Blanche chaired the Clinton Health Care Auxiliary for a time and often found herself raising money for one noble cause or another, usually by selling her incredible fruit pies; she was well-known for her pie-making prowess, from lemon meringue to mincemeat and apple.

Blanche's kindness extended to anyone who needed a hand and she quietly kept their confidences while offering help and support. When fire struck the Cariboo Lodge and one of the guests there lost everything, Blanche outfitted this complete stranger from head to toe for free with clothes from her store, the Fashion Corral.

Blanche liked to have fun, too, and some of her favourite activities were hiking, cross-country skiing, curling, camping, four-wheeling, canoeing and visiting Blue Lake, where she and Robin had a cabin. She was also a voracious reader and an unabashed enthusiast of daytime soaps.

She and Robin put on hundreds of miles in their RV and when Robin wanted to cycle across Canada upon his retirement, it was tiny, five-foot-two Blanche driving the support vehicle, a big Dodge Ram and fifth wheel, with her favourite cat, Ripley (named after Signourney Weaver's character in Alien), in the front seat beside her.

When Blanche was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014 at the age of 67, she worked hard to raise awareness about how isolating the disease can be. She wrote in the Alzheimer Society magazine:

"Don't be afraid of your diagnosis. Don't hide it. Let the people around you know what is going on and what stages you are in so they can help you. You can still be a part of your community. You can still do things. I have a positive attitude every day and I still have a good life."

Brave, caring, passionate, gentle, adventurous, a little shy and stubborn in the best way, Blanche is deeply loved and eternally missed by her family and friends. Blanche is survived by her husband, Robin, sons Marty (Jenny) and Randy (Corry), grandchildren Charlie, Jocelyn, Cheyanne and Jayme (Dmitrii), great-grandson Alex and sister Betty-Lou. She is predeceased by her parents, Jim and Dorthy Cobb.

A Celebration of Life for Blanche will be held on March 15, 2025 at the Clinton Memorial Hall, starting at 12:30 p.m. All who knew and loved Blanche are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

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