CHISHOLM (Kolanko), Blanche Dorothy

Blanche Dorothy Chisholm passed away on December 30, 2020 in Evan Hall in Parkland Clayton Park. The story goes she was named Bronka ( Bronislawa) by her parents, but her name was changed to Blanche by the Catholic nuns. She was known lovingly as Baba to her many family members. Blanche was born on February 6, 1930 in Whitney Pier, to Franciszka (Nikiel) and michal Kolanko. She was the second youngest in a large family which included siblings Michael, Nellie, Joe, Tony, Walter, Annie, Mary, and Frances. Blanche was one of the first graduates of the St. Martha’s Radiology Technology Program and was forever grateful to her brother Tony who supported her schooling. She met her husband John Blaise Chisholm while in Antigonish and they married on July 17, 1950. They initially lived in the Antigonish area, but settled in Cape Breton in 1960. Blanche worked at the City of Sydney Hospital for many years and eventually became the Supervisor of the Radiology Department. She is well-remembered as a knowledgeable, active and friendly presence there. Blanche enjoyed dancing, playing cards, nurturing her gardens with red roses two stories high, feeding the birds outside her kitchen window, practicing yoga, walking, and watching movies like the Godfather. She had a kind heart, and everyone was welcome in her kitchen, whether family, friends or complete strangers. Her great sense of humour and her robust laugh were well- known and were often enough to start a group laugh. She always had a few funny stories to share. Never afraid to speak her mind, she was a big supporter of her union and helped getting her union of technicians into a larger Common Front, which would see improvements to all staff at the hospital she worked for. She was very fashion forward and loved to dress smartly. Her 2-piece bathing suit was likely the first in Antigonish County in 1954. Blanche especially enjoyed the friendship of Theresa Hashim and Isabel Hayes. Blanche was predeceased by her husband John, and all her siblings. She is survived by her children, Jean, Sharon (Duncan Maclennan), Betsy ( Donald Jardine), Sandy, Joe ( Joanne Libbus), Terry (Derrick Mcphee), Paul (Brenda Macqueen); her grandchildren, Rachel, Beth, John Paul, Sarah, Genevieve, Josh, Patrick, James, Daniel, John, Jesse, Evan, CJ, Nicole, Joe, Ewan, Cate, Joanne, Paulina; her great-grandchildren, Izzy, Millie, Lachlan, Cohen, Emma, Jack, June, Franky, Fox, Angus, Ella, Finn, Maeve, Jett, Lucas, Zachary; and her previous partner, Leo Mombourquette. Blanche is donating her brain to the Maritime Brain Tissue Bank and her remains will eventually be placed next to her husband John in East Bay, Cape Breton. The family is grateful for the excellent care Blanche received while at Williston and Rideout Halls in Sydney and Evan Hall in Halifax. Thanks also go to Dr. Greg Myatt, her family physician for years, and Dr. Mallery, Dr. Couture, Sarah Krieger-frost and Dr. Bosma. A celebration of Blanche’s life will be held in Cape Breton in the future when larger groups are allowed to gather. Donations in memory can be made to support the Kolanko Family Scholarship in memory of Blanche Chisholm at Riverview Rural High School by contacting Scott Murchison at: smurchiso@ gnspes.ca. Online condolences and memories can be shared at: blanchekolanko.ca

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