Blanche Anna DeMuro (Novak) 93, passed away peacefully after living a wonderful full life, on February 22, 2021. She lived every day to the fullest and found the good in everything and everyone around her. She was the matriarch of her family and her presence is already deeply missed. Our hearts are broken, however at peace knowing she has been reunited with so many loved ones that went before her. She was the last of the golden era, so to say heaven is celebrating is an understatement!
Blanche was born in Oak Park, IL on May 8, 1927, the first child of Joseph and Anna Novak, both children of Czech immigrants. She became the older sister to Rose and Jim, before losing her Mother at the age of 8, when she welcomed what she affectionately called her “2nd Mom” into her life. She met the love of her life, Michael DeMuro in 1947 on a double date in Illinois, where he was set up with her sister. They quickly realized they were mismatched, fell in love, and the next year moved and got married in Huntington Beach, CA. Within the next three years, they welcomed a son and daughter, and chose to return to IL to raise them closer to family. In 1972, they made the big move to Phoenix, once again following family. After 55 years of wedded bliss, Mike preceded her in death, where we know he’s been eagerly waiting to dance and laugh with her once again.
Blanche’s life completely revolved around her close-knit family. From being a Boy Scout den mother for her son, to Christmas shopping in downtown Chicago with her daughter, to attending EVERY event her grandchildren participated in, to being a regular volunteer at her great grandchildren’s school that everyone called “Grandma”, Blanche was beyond proud to tell everyone about “my wonderful family” every chance she got. Blanche made the best Italian food (she was known for her lasagna, manicotti and mostaccioli), and would not hesitate to mail out hundreds of cookies to loved ones all over the country at Christmas time!
Blanche LOVED to travel, whether road trips to their cabin in Payson with grand-kids and all of their friends, traveling the 50 states showing us the sights out of the van windows, cruising through Hawaii, or jet-setting to Europe, she was always ready for adventure. Her greatest pleasure in life was to travel with her family, to experience BIG family vacations, and see the joy it brought to those she loved. Having grown up on a farm, Blanche was not afraid of the outdoors, and loved taking her grandkids camping, even stopping to cook and search for treasures on the side of the road along the way. During one trip, the big treasure was a collection of car hub caps, which gave the family laughs for years.
Being the last of the three siblings, Blanche took great pride in maintaining relationships with the families of her younger brother and sister. Her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews meant the world to her, and she was excited to discover the internet in her later years, where late night Facebook messages to her family were common. She adored being their ‘Aunt Blanche’ almost as much as she loved the title Grandma.
To say she lived an amazing life is an understatement. She was the epitome of the Grandma everyone wishes they had, and countless numbers of people far beyond her biological family knew her as Grandma. She left a lasting impression in the hearts of all who knew her, and the world will never be the same without her love. Blanche leaves behind her son Frank DeMuro, Daughter Ann DeMuro, grandchildren Karen McCue, Joe Vidas, Allison Lee, Alex Greene (Bob), Shane DeMuro (Yanna) great grandchildren Kyle and Courtney McCue, Justice and Micah Greene, and her newest prides in joy, Anthony and Avery DeMuro, who at just 9 months old knew so much love from her. While we miss her terribly, we can imagine her now sitting with all her loved ones in heaven, reminiscing and drinking coffee… black with extra creamer.
A Celebration of life will be held on March 21st at 1:30 at her home2420 E. LaMar Road Phoenix Az 85016. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Wings of Hope Hospice 11022 N 28th Dr Suite 205, Phoenix, AZ 85029 in memory of Blanche A. DeMuro
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