Obituary of Ann Blanchard

The passing of Elizabeth Ann (McKenzie) Blanchard of Fredericton, NB, wife of Wayne Blanchard and mother of Jane Blanchard, occurred Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. Born February 7, 1955 in Isleworth, Middlesex, England, Ann was the daughter of Scottish parents James and Jean (Matheson) McKenzie. As a child she attended boarding school in Hampstead, London and lived also in Glasgow, Perth and Inverness, Scotland before settling in Edinburgh, where she met Wayne. While in Edinburgh she worked with The National Trust for Scotland and American Express. She also attended Stevenson’s College. She and Wayne married after a move to Fredericton in 1979. Ann then spent several years as the accounts manager at The Playhouse, during which time she also had her own local TV show prior to launching Bodylines Fitness Studio, which was cited by Chatelaine magazine as one of Canada’s ten finest. With the birth of Jane, Ann became a stay-at-home mother, focused on ensuring her daughter would have the emotional security, life skills and sense of independence that would prepare her to enter the world with confidence. She also took great delight in entertaining friends, who like her family saw her as a beautiful, peaceful and elegant soul whose generosity and warm spirit touched all who met her. Holidays in Edinburgh, a good cup of tea and Coronation Street on TV were amongst her favourite pastimes. In addition to Wayne and Jane, Ann is survived by brothers James McKenzie (Amy) in Australia, Robert McKenzie (Agnes) in Scotland and Laurence McKenzie in Scotland, plus nieces Theresa and Stephanie, and nephews Forbes and Lewis, Craig, and Callum and Craig. Visitation and Memorial Service with Bishop Michael Sexton officiating will take place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 986 Smythe St, Fredericton, NB. Visitation: 7 – 9 pm, Friday, 21 November 2014. Memorial Service: 2 – 4 pm, Saturday, 22 November 2014. Reception will follow. The Blanchard and McKenzie families thank the doctors and staff of the St. John General Hospital Neurosurgery and Oncology units – particularly doctors Brian Wheelock and Margo Burnell, as well as the nurses and doctors of Ward 4 NW of the Doctor Everett Chalmers Hospital for the their contribution to Ann’s treatment and comfort during her twenty-one year survival with brain cancer. Thank you also to the many friends, near and far, whose love and support has meant so much. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com