Obituary of M. Blanche Coleman
On January 18, 2025, at the age of 85, M. Blanche Coleman (Rose) of Saint John, New Brunswick, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children at the Loch Lomond Villa.
Blanche was born in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, and moved to Hampton, New Brunswick, in 1957 where she met and married her husband of 55 years, Leo Coleman. Blanche was predeceased by her parents, John and Martha Rose, her husband Leo, her son, John, and 12 of her brothers and sisters: Irene, Neila, Jeanette, Martha, Angie, Joyce, Bernice, Jack, Jim, Melvyn, Clarence, and Calvin. She is survived by her children Kim Scott (Daniel), Raymond Coleman (Lori), Michael Coleman (Susan), and Jason Coleman (Melissa), as well as her twin brother, Ivan Rose (Ruth). Blanche was known to everyone, family or not, as “Nanny”, and she loved and cherished her 12 grandchildren: Megan Smith, Laura Howe, Britteny Greenan, John Greenan, Kris Scott, Shane Scott, Nicholas Coleman, Matthew Coleman, Ryan Coleman, Cassie Coleman, Carly Coleman, and Avery Coleman; and 10 great grandchildren.
Blanche loved out loud—she was a true social butterfly. She knew everyone in Glen Falls and maybe even Saint John. She always had time for people and made fast friends with everyone she met.
Blanche was a resident at the Loch Lomond Villa for the past seven years after suffering a debilitating stroke, losing most of her speech and all of her mobility. Despite this, she was resilient and managed to communicate with limited words and gestures: letting everyone know that they were loved. Blanche loved to dance. Even in a wheelchair, she danced to the live music at the Villa. She will be remembered for her eclectic jewelry, sassiness, social spirit, her countless number of friends, and her dancing.
Our family extends our deepest gratitude to all of the staff and volunteers at the Loch Lomond Villa for the outstanding care, love, kindness, and compassion they showed our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, over the past seven years.
To honour Blanche’s wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation. A spring internment is planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (506-634-7424).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Loch Lomond Villa Foundation or the NB Heart and Stroke Foundation.
