Blanche Carter Blake, passed away on December 30, 2009. She was 97 years old. A resident of the Masonic Home in Wallingford at the time of her passing, she had been a resident of Fairfield for the previous 45 years and was a lifetime resident of the State of Connecticut. In fact, her family traces its roots to the earliest days of Connecticut. A direct descendent of the Loomis Family which came over on the Mayflower in 1632, Blanche's ancestors were part of the original group of colonists who settled Windsor in 1640. They traveled up the Farmington River exploring the new land and when the water grew too shallow for navigation, they disembarked and founded the future town of Windsor. Blanche was born there in 1912. The Loomis family went on to found the Loomis, now Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor. Blanche was the daughter of Benjamin Street Carter and Fannie Kibbie. Her father had multiple careers, but Blanche fondly recalled working for him in his printing business. She remembered working with him setting type for many local newspapers and for several Loomis School publications including the "Loomiscellani." After graduation from the Windsor School in 1930, Blanche attended New Britain Normal School for two years. Following graduation, she went to work for the State of Connecticut working for the teacher's retirement pension system. That didn't last too long because just as World War II broke out, she married John Reich Blake, an engineer with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Hartford. In October 1942, a daughter, Patricia Anne Blake, joined the family and Blanche took on the responsibilities of a full time mother and housekeeper. In 1960, John took a new job with the Rolock Corporation in Fairfield, and the family moved to Fairfield. Blanche was very active in several local organizations. She and John were very active in the Fay-erweather Yacht Club and Blanche served for several years as president of the Women's Auxiliary and in 2006 was given Honorary Life time member status by that organization. Blanche was also very active in several Masonic women's organizations. She is a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. In 2008, she was recognized by Ionic Chapter No 100 for 75 years of membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a member of Marie Lafayette Chapter # 111 in Fairfield for several years. Blanche was also a 75 year member of the Order the Amaranth, another women's Masonic affiliated organization. She joined Amaranth in 1933, served as a Past Royal Matron of Charity Court # 17 in 1940 and was secretary of Morris Court # 4 for many years. She also held several Grand Court Officer positions. She was the oldest member of Amaranth in Connecticut in terms of years of membership at the time of her passing. A talented and gifted artist, Blanche was proficient in several forms of art but was most noted for her ceramic works. She had a kiln in the basement of their house in Fairfield and produced many different forms of ceramic works over the years which she displayed and frequently gave away. Blanche is survived by two grandchildren, Sherri Nourse of Derry, N.H. and Steve Harris of Fairfield; by four great-grandchildren, Alicia and Bryant Nourse and Katie and Ethan Harris; and by two nephews, Steven and Alan Carter, both from California. She was predeceased by her husband, John, and by her daughter, Patricia Harris. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10 a.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. To offer an online condolence please visit us atwww.Spear-MillerFuneralHome.com.