Blanche Lorrain (Thompson) (Oke) Guest

Blanche Lorrain (Oke) Guest (nee Thompson)

It is with sad hearts we announce the passing of our mother Blanche (Oke) Guest in Huntsville Hospital, April 17, 2021 in her 105th year. Blanche is predeceased by her two husbands, Roy Oke and Lorne Guest, also by her parents Gordon and Ethel (nee Saulter) Thompson and her brothers Murl and Grenvel.  Left to mourn her passing are her daughters June and Donna and Lorne’s daughter Gail (Carl).  She leaves behind three very special grandsons, Jason (Linda) Hayward, Aaron (Tilda) Hayward and Jeremy (Tina) Hayward and granddaughter Carii (Brian) Geroux as well as eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.  She also leaves nieces, nephews and families.

Blanche was born and raised at South Portage.  She did not start school until her younger brothers were old enough to make the long daily journey with her.  She often spoke of her childhood memories and experiences – so different from those of today’s children!  At age eighteen she came to Huntsville to work.  Many will remember her as a long-time employee of Eatons.  She married Roy Oke and together they had two daughters, Donna and June.

Upon Retirement, she and Roy became very involved with Brunel Community Centre.  Blanche was a life member and past president of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary.  Doubtful anyone knows the number of banquets she may have helped cater there!  She also played in numerous card and dart tournaments.  Blanche was also a life member of Club 55 Huntsville, enjoying such activities as ceramics and art classes.  Some of her lovely paintings still grace the walls of family and friends.  Of course, Club 55 was also about the card games.  She was also a life member of Dwight Lakeview Seniors.  She enjoyed the camaraderie and the cards.  She loved her "Bid Euchre” and lots of people were happy to have her as their partner.

A few years after Roy’s passing, Blanche met and married Lorne Guest.  They enjoyed quite a few “Retirement” years together as well.  They travelled a little, spent a few winters in Florida and summers at Kawagama Lake and always played cards!

Blanche lived her entire life in and around Huntsville.  She enjoyed the people she met and they her.  In her one hundred and four years she witnessed so many changes.  She lived through world wars, the great depression, a man on the moon, and so many advances in technology, most recently while in hospital, a “Zoom” visit with her Alberta family.  Through it all, she adapted as the situation required.

Through her advanced years, Blanche had reasonably good health, a sharp mind, a quick wit and a keen sense of humour.  She continued to drive her car into her late 90’s and never left the house without her lipstick on!  With the help of her family, she was able to stay in her own home where she had lived for the last 40 years and reigned as “Queen of the Cribbage Board.”  It was a life well lived, a good run for sure!

We, as a family, have been fortunate to celebrate several milestone birthdays and other happy occasions with Blanche, including her hundredth when her Alberta family was all able to attend.  We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital for the care and kindness they extended to our mother and to us during her final days.  The Doctors, nurses, and support staff in Emerg, ICU and Palliative Care are wonderful!  We would also like to thank friends and neighbours for their acts of kindness and continued support.

Blanche will be interred at Hutcheson Memorial Cemetery with her husband Roy.  Currently, Covid restrictions prevent a public service.  In memory of Blanche, if you wish, donations to the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital or a charity of your choice are appreciated.  Messages of condolence can be left at www.billingsleyfuneralhome.com