Lorraine Joyce Blanchard

Long-time Sedona resident, Lorraine Joyce Blanchard, died 09/24/2020 in
Cottonwood, Arizona, where she had resided for the last 5 years of her life.
She was born 07/28/1931 in Seattle Washington. As a child she moved
frequently with her family Linally settling in Glendale, California, where she
met the love of her life, William “Bill” Blanchard. They were married
02/10/1951 and moved to Sedona in 1955. They were married for 69 years,
with Bill preceding her in death on 06/30/2020.
She and Bill met as teenagers and both attended Glendale Community
College where she obtained her Associate’s Degree. She worked as a secretary
for Blanchard Electric for the 30 years they owned the business and then for
Ken Fitz, long time friend and employee, who bought the business. She retired
at age 79 although only worked ½ days for the last several years of her
employment.
Lorraine was an avid reader and did so until the last several months of her
life. As a young woman in Sedona she had an active social life with her many
friends. She was on a softball league (broke the same Linger twice), bowling
league, played golf, square danced with Bill, played bunco, and belonged to
Garden Club. She loved to garden and had beautiful roses. She and Bill also
played volleyball with a group of friends every Sunday night at the Posse
Grounds. Lorraine was very involved with her children, ensuring they learned
to swim, taking them to Oak Creek, and to swimming lessons via an old rickety
school bus all the way to Clarkdale in the summer months.
At the creek, she and friends would often play bridge while all the children
played and swam. She loved Christmas and is known for making it a special
time for her family. For a time she sang in the choir at Wayside Chapel and
was in several Christmas Pageants. In her later years she enjoyed Sunday
football, cheering on her Arizona Cardinals.
She is survived by her 4 children, Dianne Connally (Richard), Paul
Blanchard (Maria), Elaine Laemmrich (James), and Linda Deringer (Kevin).
There are 12 grandchildren; Amber Bartle (James), Erik Nelson (Kristen),
Shane Nelson (Cheri), Michael Cosentino (Tara), Alex Cosentino, Angelica
Cosentino, Ezra Pino (Ashley), Justin Pounder (Francesca), Sarah Hall (Chad),
Tiffany Deringer, Adam Deringer (Catey), and Tessa Deringer. She is survived
by 27 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only immediate family will gather for a
Ceremony of life for both Bill and Lorraine on 10/03/2020. The absence of
friends and extended relatives will be greatly missed.