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Jan Southwick Bradley
Who could ask for a more precious aunt than Aunt Willyne??? She was most dear to me. She always saw the good in people and, through the years, her hand-written letters to us were filled with encouragement to do more and better in the talents or skills we and our children happened to have. No way was she going to write her letters on a computer as she loved putting the pen to paper! She helped make special memories in my tender teenage years. What a lady! When I made summer visits to her and the family, she filled my time with wonderful experiences. She invited me to help her teach small children how to swim in the Fernandina city pool and she got me into advanced swim lessons with things like jumping into the pool with shoes on and stuff. She introduced me to new friends in her town and encouraged me to have fun with them. Trips to the beach with her and the kids were cool; as she drove us there, she’d sing, “Off to the beach we go, off to the beach we go, off to the beach, off to the beach, off to the beach we go!” Tent camping with her and her family laid the groundwork for us in later years when Mike, my husband, and I took our own kids to do the same – enjoying nature and making memories. Conversations we had around the Blanchard dining room table made for much fun and laughter as we shared our life experiences. On their visits to Baton Rouge to visit our mom and her sister, Florence and our dad, Bill, it was always fun to listen to Willyne and our dad banter back and forth about world affairs and philosophy. She adored her brother-in-law and couldn’t get enough of conversation with him. After I married, Mike enjoyed listening, with me, to their conversations. Debra, Claire, Paul and David, we regret not being with y’all in person these two days as you celebrate your mother’s outstanding, caring, faith-filled life. Mike and I send warm hugs and much love to all of you, our cousins……… Jan
Crishova Hardee
I know our Willyne is resting in peace now. I miss her just to remember when she came to my Bible studies in the activities area when I gave it. After I was not able to continue the Bible studies, she would ask me couple of times when will I be giving the Bible studies again. I had to tell her I wasn’t able to (in that nature). It was precious to see her interest and that she was so kind! She will most certainly be remembered! Blessings to the family 🙏🏻
Billie Bourgeois🐝🐝
Willyne was only 11 when I was born inn1943. She was my mother’s baby sister and really thought I was her baby sister. She took care of me, taught me piano, swimming, cooking. She bossed me around like any good big sister would. When she and Al moved to Fernandina I was with them. Debra was a baby. I have such fond memories of being here that summer and for many summers following. It was my first time to see the Atlantic Ocean. Willyne would pack lunches for us and the Beach became a daily destination! She and Al also started camping in the summers which was a whole new adventure for me. Willyne , you are forever in my heart. ❤️ Billie Aline
Susan Crews
Willyne was a truly special person. She lit up any room with her kindness. She will be missed by many. i was taught to swim by Willyne. May the family find peace knowing she brought and peace and happiness to many.many.
Robert Fiege
Sorry for your loss. Over the 48 years I worked at the News-Leader I would receive notes of encouragement and congratulations from Willyne recognizing our accomplishments. She also flunked me out of my first summer of swim lessons so I had to take the beginner class again. Always fond memories.
Patricia Roloff
My thoughts and prayers are with you today. Your mother is now with Him and now watching over you. Shalom!
frances Wall
We never made it out for our special lunch.. After my husband died, I spent a lot of time on my farm in Georgia. I just recently came across a card she sent me... We had lost touch and I was wondering where she was and how she was doing.. She was a ray of sunshine and a special lady. I always loved her visits to my shop. I'm so sorry for your loss. Heaven has gained a very special person. Prayer for all of you.
Laurye Campbell Ray
Lori Newsome Kennedy
Your dear mom was always a candle flickering steady when times were tough. She could light up the darkest room with her soft voice and loving manner. She and your dad were a very strong presence in our lives. So many memories! I only ate her Divinity! She made the best! Please know that in the days following, grief will be with you. Please allow yourself to feel it. Know that she is in our loving Savior's arms and Heaven is rejoicing that she will continue to watch over you all until you meet again. Blessings and love to you all!
Bonnie Brock
May God bless her family. She was a sweet and caring woman. She will be missed by many.
Steve Farr
Willyne, my aunt and godmother, you will be missed by so many. I will miss our too infrequent conversations about just about anything. Peace and love, Steve, Beth and Emily
Pat and Doris Leary
We offer our deepest condolences to the Blanchard family. Willyne's passing marks the loss of yet another page in Fernandina's past. The town and community we and Willyne knew no longer exist. RIP Willyne.
Lilian Bryan
So many happy memories of our two families spending beach time together, over many years (since 1960). Willyne, you will be so missed and never forgotten. We love you Willyne! Lilian, Angelique, Malcolm, Tita, Marguerite (and Bill) Bryan. !
Wendy Roussell
Sandra Mese
My aunt sent hundreds of pictures through the years. I learned to dream and appreciate the delightful experience i felt when i looked at them. I am 61 now. I still look at pictures and background in movies with the same eyes aunt willyne taught me. I will forever have her in my life.
Linda Anne Bader
God Bless You Deborah,,,,, Paul, David Clare,,,,,,,,, Your Mom is at rest now after having gone through so very much,,,,, She too, is at peace with Your Dad now,,,,,, Thanks be to Our Lord, who is merciful kind giving and above all loving
Sheryl Southwick
Many summers when I was a child I went to my aunt Willyne's house to be with her and my cousins who were all in my age range. She engaged us in making crafty things. I remember turning a pair of spray painted bricks covered with little seashells into bookends for my father, her brother-in-law. She came up with the poem that said "Daddy, to end your books, not in fact, Just in looks." She always made sure I could use my creativity in some way at her house. Memories that have always delighted me.
Stephanie Hundredmark
Bryan Southwick
RIP, my beautiful Aunt Willyne 🩷
Willyne Farr Blanchard
2024-06-03
Willyne Farr Blanchard, 92, of Fernandina Beach passed away Monday, June 3, 2024 in Jacksonville after a long period of declining health.
She was born on December 27, 1931 in Sherburne, LA and was a daughter of the late Ned Waldo and Aline Gianelloni Farr.
She and her husband, the late Albert Joseph Blanchard, met while attending the Newman Club dance at Louisiana State University where she had entered the “Tallest Girl” contest. Al and Willyne were married on May 3, 1952, in Baton Rouge, and she joined him in Milwaukee, WI where he was working for Allis-Chalmers Corporation after his graduation from LSU. In 1954, he accepted a position with Container Corporation of America and they moved to Fernandina Beach.
In addition to raising her family, she worked for the Fernandina Beach News-Leader as a writer for many years writing human interest stories. She was known to write letters to the editor of the News Leader and the Times Union papers on health and nutrition among many issues about which she was passionate. She spent several years as a wedding photographer for local brides. She also worked for some 35 years as a care giver for Amelia Island Care Center and later Care Center of Nassau from where she retired at 80 years of age. Willyne studied concert piano in college and was a great lover of music, especially attending Jacksonville Symphony concerts with her husband Al.
A longtime and active member of St. Michael Catholic Church where she and Al reared their family, she was also a member of the Fernandina Beach Woman’s Club and the American Pen Women. Willyne shared her passion for the importance of being able to swim by teaching swimming lessons to little ones for many years at the Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center. She enjoyed reading, listening to talk radio, taking photographs, playing tennis, sewing, playing the piano, painting and was always up to the challenge of trying something different. She loved cooking for big family meals at which many guests were served her special lasagna and outstanding shrimp creole. She will always be remembered for her remarkably good sour cream pound cakes, lemon meringue pie and divinity fudge. Her home was always open to anyone, anytime, as she loved to entertain. She was an avid football fan, rooting for the Jaguars, Green Bay Packers and the LSU Tigers. She had a passion for her Catholic faith, the Bible and her many Christian friends and was godmother to many of the children in her life.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Pat, Ned and Florence.
She leaves behind her children, Debra B. Capley of Jacksonville, Claire Blanchard of Fernandina Beach, Paul Blanchard of Leesburg, VA and David Blanchard of Paducah, KY; her grandchildren, Talia Grenier of Phoenix, AZ, Gena Arnold, Kyla Hartman, Ivanna Diaz and Joseph Rozensky, all of Jacksonville and Nadia Blanchard of Alexandria, VA; nine great grandchildren as well as an extended family of many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 1:00 PM at St. Michael Catholic Church with Fr. Eric Stelzer as celebrant. The family will receive friends at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 11th from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a Rosary service at 6:30 PM.
She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Bosque Bello Cemetery. All are welcome to join the procession to Bosque Bello following the Mass and at the reception in St. Michael Parish Hall.
Donations may be made in her memory to St. Michael Catholic Church or Haven Hospice in Jacksonville.
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