Nancy Blanchard

Nancy Jane Blanchard, 87, born and raised in Newport, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully in San Jose, California, on 10 October, 2024. Born Nancy Jane Shea on 2 June, 1937, to Mr. Martin Christopher Shea and Mrs. Ella MacCauley Lawton Shea, she grew up with her brothers Martin and Howard, and her sister Joanne in Newport's Fifth Ward.

Nancy graduated from Rogers High School and the Newport Hospital School of Nursing, beginning what was to become a lifetime career as a Registered Nurse. She married Maxwell Blanchard, and the couple started their new life together in San Diego, California, shortly later relocating to the Santa Clara Valley, first to Sunnyvale and later to San Jose. The marriage produced three children, Michael, Patrick, and Kathleen. She focused on raising her children for many years as they grew to maturity, and eventually returned to nursing full time. Nancy's nursing career was diverse, but predominantly spent in the field of public health, most recently at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. She was devoted to the patients under her care and to her coworkers as well. Nurse Nancy was a revered figure among coworkers, friends, and neighbors.

Those who knew her will recall her open mind, warm heart, and her sense of humor, always ready to laugh, even at herself. Those who knew her very well will readily attest to her unfailing generosity to family, friends, and worthy causes.

Nancy is survived by her younger brother Howard, her three children and their father, five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

A service will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 10:00am at the Belmont Memorial Chapel in Island Cemetery, 30 Warner St. Newport. Burial to immediately follow in Braman's Cemetery, Farewell St., Newport.

She will be remembered with love and affection by all her friends and most of all by her family, who will dearly miss her wit, wisdom, and gentle nature.

Any who may be inclined to remember her by charitable means may consider a donation in her honor to the Newport Hospital School of Nursing via Brown University or to Salve Regina University.