Isabell (Joan) Blanding, 83, of Bridgeport, died Saturday, February 6, at her home on Oneida Lake. She departed this world in the loving embrace of her husband and family. Joan (affectionately known as "Bubbles") was born September 24, 1932, the fourth of six children born to Harry and Isabell Hudson, of Syracuse. She attended area schools and in 1949 married William (Bill) Blanding. They settled in Bridgeport, where they raised a large family and became well known and well loved in the community. In 1970, the Blandings opened Blanding Hardware in Bridgeport. Joan handled the ordering, bookkeeping and day-to-day operation of the family business until 1997 and continued in her bookkeeper role until the final months of her life. Joan was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Bridgeport. She liked to read, travel, knit, crochet, garden, fish and work on jigsaw puzzles. Joan was at home in the kitchen and cooking for a crowd came naturally to her. She welcomed family and friends alike to her table and passed on her exceptional skills and passion for cooking and baking to her children and grandchildren. Her proudest achievement was the home life and close-knit family she and her husband created. Joan is survived by her husband, Bill; seven children, David (Eileen); Daniel (Bonnie); Dale (Mary Pat); Karen (Jason Mohorter); Donald; Dwayne; William "Billy" (Tanya); daughter-in-law, Susan Montroy; a brother, William; 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Douglas, in 2001, and by four brothers, Harry, Fred, John and Richard. Calling hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 12 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Center, Bridgeport. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 13 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Bridgeport. Spring burial will be at Bridgeport Community Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Central New York, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool, NY 13088, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute #39935881, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard from Feb. 8 to Feb. 9, 2016