Blanche Robin Diamond

Blanche lived a unique and multifaceted life. She was a mother, grandmother, sister, wife, auntie, yogi, artist, reiki master, golfer and entrepreneur.

She was born In St. John's Newfoundland, 75 years ago. Over her lifetime, she lived in many different homes from St John’s, NL, to Bay du Vin, NB; Moncton, Bathurst, Charlottetown, Chester, L'Ardoise, Halifax and Seabright.

Her Father, Alex, served overseas with Britain’s Royal Air Force in World War II with bomber command. Along with mother Anna (Williston), moved from job-to-job, and city-to-city with family in tow and hope their constant companion.

She was the third of five children, including Brookes (Fiona), Beverley (Jim Nauss, deceased), Geoff (Kim Johnson) and infant Thomas (deceased).

Family was most important to Blanche who enjoyed sharing trips, traditional gatherings and daily contact with all her siblings who she dearly loved. In 1968 Blanche married Phil Bishop with whom she had three sons, Todd, Jeff (Danielle) and Alex (Carly) Bishop.

Blanche's zest for life and natural communication skills thrived in an entrepreneurial lifetime of taking courses, learning new skills, and tackling new projects and interests. She was never afraid of hard work.

Her Seabright Bed and Breakfast, which opened in 1980 and ran for 5 successful years was a popular spot which garnered a story in the New Yorker about the quaint location and great host who made the "best cinnamon rolls and pancakes anywhere to be found". Impressive, given she was also a long-time employee by day at CBC working in various positions in production and operations, as well as fulfilling her role as wife and mother.

She even worked weekends at one point in downtown Halifax as a hot dog vendor to make “extra cash"! Her final full-time career was that of a real estate agent working with Remax for five years.

But perhaps her most enjoyable part-time ‘gig’ was helping out at her sons’ burgeoning golf business, Dormie Workshop.

Blanche married a second time to Paul Kells. They eloped, which was quite a surprise to the family. This marked a new phase of her life which included traveling the globe and a new interest in yoga, art and golf. Blanche was a talented painter in acrylic on canvas and sold paintings to admiring clients.

Blanche had a great love for cats and throughout her life, always owned at least one if not two. Her beloved boys jokingly quipped that the cats were often #1 - ahead of them!

A gracious host, she was a second mother to many of her sons' friends who often visited for overnight stays. She had the patience of a saint and made her guests feel like family. Grandmother to Hunter Bishop, she loved and cared for her grandchild and shared many days with her new pride and joy.

She loved moving, one of the few people who relished a moving van and the smell of fresh paint! During her second marriage she had 6 different dwellings they called home, much to Paul's dismay.

Prior to her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Paul was diagnosed with cancer. Blanche, with Paul’s daughter Robin Kells, became Paul's care giver. Robin was a great support to Blanche after her father’s passing. When Blanche was asked how things were going, she would declare “we’re doing our best”.

Indeed Mum, you always did your best and now you’ve earned your eternal rest.

Blanche was beloved by many friends and colleagues and especially her nieces and nephews,.

Her family would especially like to express our deep thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Parkland on the Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to the Alzheimer Society of Nova scotia would be appreciated.

*More details to follow on Blanche’s celebration of life ceremony.