BLANCHE ARDELIA WILBUR of Pottersville Road, Little Compton passed away Saturday in Little Compton where she had been born 91 years before and had lived her entire life. She was the wife of the late Nathan A. Wilbur, Jr. who she was married to for 43 years.
Born on a homestead in Little Compton she was the daughter of LeRoy Howland Wordell and Ethel Vincent Palmer Wordell. She was a 1935 graduate of the Josephine F. Wilbur School. During WWII she served as a Coast Watcher for the military spotting enemy planes. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a life-long fan of FDR and was pleased to be able to visit his summer home in Hyde Park, New York.
She married Nathan Sept 9, 1941 becoming Mother to his 9 year old son Nicky. The couple lived their entire marriage at the residence that had once been the town’s Number 7 One Room School House where they had both attended school.
The couple loved dogs and they started a small boarding kennel which she continued to operate after his death in 1984 for another six years. They were particularly interest in field trial dogs and trained them. Her husband was an avid hunter. They had a pack of fox hounds and raised several litters together over the years. In later years after her husbands’ death she had Schnauzers. She was especially fond of her Schnauzer Moxman who was equally fond of her.
Blanche was an avid antiques collector all her life. She was influential in her daughter’s antique business and often participated in shows with her. Music, especially studying piano and collecting vintage sheet music, was an avocation of hers. Her last, but by no means least, interest was her roadside flower gardens which she took great pride in and tended with care.
At age 68 she flew in an airplane for the first time in her life to Disney in Florida. From that time on she enjoyed travels with her family to Alaska, spent holidays in Hawaii and most recently spent Christmas in Key West.
Most of all she was a devoted Mother to her children and grandchildren who loved Nannie dearly and delighted in being with her. She leaves a son Nathan A. Wilbur III and his wife Irene; daughters Faith E. Wilbur and husband Peter D’Allesandro; and Judith Beth Brayton and her late husband David A. Brayton all of Little Compton. Grandchildren are Lisa Reidy of Florida; Andrew G. Wilbur of Georgia; Tracy Resendes of Somerset, MA; Bianca W. D’Allesdandro of Cambridge, MA; David A. Brayton, Jr. of Providence, R.I. and Great Grandchildren Stephen A. Reidy of Florida and Jacob A. Wilbur of Georgia.
She was the sister of the late State Representative Lucille A. Love and William R. Wordell both of Little Compton.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, February 21 at 11 AM at the Acoaxet Chapel, Howland Rd, Westport, MA followed by a Celebration of Her Life Luncheon at the Acoaxet Club to which family and friends are invited.
Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Rhode Island SPCA, 186 Amaral Street, Riverside, RI 02915 and Acoaxet Chapel c/o of Myron Simmons, P.O. Box 527, Little Compton, R.I. 02837.