Julia A. Blankenship

Middletown, RI - Julia A. Konitsky Blankenship, 79, of Rosa Road, Middletown, RI, died Friday, March 16, 2007 at the Grand Islander Health Care Center in Middletown where she resided for the past 5 years and was known for her blue eyes and beautiful smile. She was the wife of the late Wiley T. Blankenship, Jr. to whom she was married for 57 years. Born in Hazelton, PA on May 9, 1927, she was the daughter of the late John and Natalia Swartz Konitsky. Mrs. Blankenship was a cook with the RI Hot Lunch Program for 25 years before retiring in 1990 and had previously been employed at the former Woolworth?s Department Store in Middletown from 1962-1964. She enjoyed taking long walks, music and dancing, loved animals, especially dogs and was a member of the D.A.V. Auxiliary. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children, Joyce Withers of Dix Hills, NY, John T. Blankenship of Middletown, RI, Dennis M. Blankenship of North Providence, RI, Patricia Visser of Middletown, RI, and Paul W. Blankenship of Alexandria, VA, a sister, Gladys Mulderrig of Manhassett, NY, nine grandchildren, Sean Withers of St. Peters, PA, Daniel and Bryan Withers of Dix Hills, NY, Alexandra and Craig Blankenship of Alexandria, VA, Denise and Stefanie Blankenship of North Providence, RI, and Tory and Tia Meneses of Middletown, RI, and two great-grandchildren, Alex and Samantha Withers of St. Peters, PA. Her funeral will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2007, at 8:00am, from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00am, in St. Lucys Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown. Burial will be in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, from 4-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Robert Potter League for Animals, PO Box 412, Newport, RI 02840.