Shirley Jean Blanchard

Shirley Jean Rodgers Dyett was born on September 29, 1936, in Balboa, Canal Zone, Republic of Panama. Her parents, the late Alfred Ernest and Minnie Maud Dyett, raised Shirley and her 4 siblings there - two brothers and two sisters - until they graduated high school. During childhood, Shirley attended schools in Panama City and graduated from Licero de Senorita High School. As a teenager, Shirley met a young man also from the Canal Zone, who drew her interest. He was only a few years older but was enlisted in the United States Army. Although his service commitment meant they would be separated, she remained hopeful and knew in her heart he would be the one. In December 1958, Shirley left her homeland and migrated to the United States. She initially lived in New York City with her aunt and within one month of her arrival, took her first job as a clerical assistant with a builder. It seemed that choice of profession was a perfect fit as Shirley would go on to fill other similar positions in and around the city. It wasn't long before she was reunited with her sweetheart and on January 9, 1960, at St. Peter Claver Church in Brooklyn, New York, Shirley Jean Rodgers Dyett married Owen Charles Blanchard. Upon his honorable discharge from the service, her new husband was later employed by TWA. They remained in New York and made homes in Brooklyn and The Bronx. Their home was always open and they generously gave aid and residence to family members, whether for short visits or longer-term stays, and especially for those who would also make the journey from Panama. In May 1963, Shirley proudly pledged her allegiance and became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America, giving her dual citizenship status with Panama. In September 1969, Shirley landed a job with IBM that became her career. She never drove but was an expert commuter on the New York Transit System. When her job moved to Upstate New York, her daily commute included nearly 4 hours of travel on the express bus and subway trains. She was always proud to share that she was never late for work. Shirley was a loyal and well-respected secretary and personnel specialist until her retirement in March 1985. Owen was able to transfer his employment to Florida and in 1995, joined his bride in their dream retirement life. As a couple, they loved gathering with family and friends for special celebrations and never missed the annual Panamanian reunions organized in the States and back home in Panama. They loved to travel and made good use of Owen's employee perk. They enjoyed trips around the world including stops in Hong Kong, England, Rome, Belgium, and Hawaii. They could always be counted on to show up, even when it meant they had to travel a long distance to attend. Shirley never missed an occasion to send a card that always included a thoughtful note to celebrate you. She loved animals and had a soft spot in her heart for small dogs. Shirley's pups Princess and Angel knew they were her babies. While they were never blessed with children of their own, Owen and Shirley generously loved and doted on every child who came into their lives from both sides of their families. They were uncle and aunt, brother and sister, godfather and godmother to so many.

Shirley and Owen were blessed to share 60 years of marriage. When her beloved Owen earned his heavenly reward in April 2020, his nieces and nephew, Simone, Francoise, and Pierre, and their families, graciously welcomed their Aunt Shirley into their lives and care. They helped her relocate to Virginia, where she ultimately made her new home near Simone, in Charlottesville, within the Assisted living community of Our Lady of Peace. She enjoyed participating in activities like Bingo, in-house musical concerts, and holiday festivities, and rarely missed an opportunity for a field trip, especially if it included a restaurant stop. Shirley was known by residents and staff alike as an avid napper and didn't mind enjoying a siesta wherever she found a comfortable seat. She made treasured friendships at OLOP and her bold and sassy spirit will be missed.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, parents, brothers Lester Thompson and Clarence Ernesto Rodgers, nephew Larry Wilkinson, niece Yesenia Thompson, first cousin Celia Dyett Rosario, and very special childhood friend Elvia Graham. She leaves to cherish her memory: her sisters Beverley Wilkinson and Patricia Grimes, nephews Louis and Lamar Wilkinson, James Grimes, and Lester Thompson, Jr.; nieces Michele Holte and Yvette Grimes; first cousins Carmen and Cecelia Dyett; Goddaughters Vanessa Graham Martinez, Denise Tarver, and Natalie Rosario; and hosts of cousins, nephews and nieces; special long-time friends Lorena Graham, Clarissa Romero, Melburne and Jenny Belgrave, Annette Carter, and Felicia Ricketts.

The family is grateful for all of the thoughtful words spoken and acts of kindness bestowed upon us during this time.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Teague Funeral Home, Charlottesville, VA. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, October 11, 12:15PM, at Church of the Incarnation. Interment for Owen and Shirley Blanchard will be at Quantico National Memorial Cemetery, Tuesday, October 15, 11:30AM.