RALPH, Blanche Sarah
Dec. 17, 1923 - May 12, 2020
Blanche Sarah Ralph (nee Emard) born December 17, 1923 in Raush Valley, near McBride, BC, passed peacefully in Langley BC on May 12, 2020. The youngest of 8, Blanche moved as a young girl to Vancouver.
Predeceased by her husbands Larry Zenzen and Ronald Ralph, and stepson Murlin Ralph (Natalie), she is survived by her sons, Clifford Zenzen (Susan), David Zenzen (Vivian), Stanley Zenzen (Louise), Daniel Zenzen (Rita), and James Ralph. Also by her stepdaughters Dorothy Margaret and Mary, 12 Grandchildren, 26 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandchild.
She attended school in Vancouver and then went to work for the Boeing aircraft company as a Riveter, assembling PBY's for the war effort during WWII. While raising 5 boys, Blanche and Ron started a successful trucking business still in operation today, operated by Jim Ralph. Blanche retired from the trucking company, Ralph and Sons Trucking where she was office manager and dispatcher. She was feisty and enjoyed having a laugh over lunch . Mum will be sadly missed .
May met her husband-to-be Don Scott in Kitimat and, after marrying in Vancouver in 1956, they set out for graduate school at the University of Illinois. After graduation, May and Don moved to Kitchener, Ontario where daughter Katherine Margaret Ivy and son Mark Gordon were born. The family moved to Ottawa and then to Edmonton where May returned to teaching. After retiring in 1988, May enjoyed walking tours in Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Australia. She took brisk walks daily, accompanied for many years by a series of beloved dogs.
Later in retirement, May returned to the milder climate of BC. She settled first in Victoria where she enjoyed daily walks along Dallas Road, then moved back to her hometown of Ladysmith. As dementia began to intrude on May's lifelong independence, she relocated finally to the Vancouver area. May met the challenges of Alzheimer's disease with grace and with a steady positive focus. She will be missed, especially by her surviving family, brother Ray, daughter Ivy, son Mark, and grandchildren Jacob and Jenna.