Obituary
Jeanmarie Blanchard

February 24, 1931 – October 7, 2025 There are some lives that shimmer quietly—woven of curiosity, grace, and a boundless love for the world. Such was the life of Jeanmarie Blanchard (1931–2025). Jeanmarie passed away unexpectedly on October 7, 2025, at Duke University Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family. A devoted wife to the late Thomas F. Blanchard for 56 years, she raised three children—Susan (LeVasseur), Thomas, and Eric—and later found joy in her grandchildren Jennifer LeVasseur, Christopher LeVasseur, and Heber Blanchard, her son-in-law John LeVasseur and daughter-in-law Evelyn Blanchard. Her beloved son, Thomas F. Blanchard III, sadly predeceased her. Born in New York City and raised in Parkchester, Jeanmarie’s life was a tapestry of learning, laughter, and movement—skiing snowy slopes, gliding across tennis courts, sailing the waters of Lake St. Catherine, playing golf under wide blue skies, and filling her home with the aroma of French cooking. Her mind was ever reaching, her heart ever open. After New York, her life’s chapters were spent in Vermont, Florida, and finally Wilmington, North Carolina, where her days were filled with the gentle rhythm of reading, reflection, and conversation. Jean found her truest comfort in the quiet beauty of her home. Mornings began with birdsong and soft light spilling across the room, where she would settle into her favorite Queen Anne–style chair, surrounded by stacks of books and the calming sound of light classical music. Her home was her sanctuary—a place alive with ideas, laughter, the scent of fresh coffee, and the hum of curiosity that defined her life. She was proud to earn her Associate of Science degree later in life, a reflection of her deep belief that learning never ends. Jean could often be found reading, tackling word puzzles, or playing bridge, scrabble, and mahjong with friends and family. She loved the turning of the seasons—especially autumn and Thanksgiving—and a full glass of white wine shared in good company. Her spirit could be summed up in her beloved words from Aristotle: Education is the best provision for old age. Jeanmarie believed that learning was not just for the young but for the soul—that the pursuit of understanding kept the heart vibrant. She leaves behind a legacy of intelligence, warmth, and grace—a reminder that a full life is not measured by its possessions or years, but by the richness of one’s curiosity and love. Those who knew her will forever remember the sound of her laughter, the sparkle in her eyes when she learned something new, and the steady kindness that filled every room she entered. And though she is gone from this world, may she now be reunited with her beloved husband Thomas, her cherished son Thomas III, and her faithful dogs Casey and Chavez—together again, beyond this life, surrounded by love everlasting.