Born Blanche Elaine Wideman in Amityville, NY on February 24, 1935 to Joshua and Myrtle Wideman she was the oldest of three. Along with her brother Joshua Jr. and Beverly, she and her parents would end up moving to Huntington, NY where Blanche spent the rest of her days. A mother of four to Debra, Brian, Pamela and Eric she raised her children to put family first and to always look out for one another. My Nana was everything to us.
In 1973, Blanche met her future husband Johnnie Jones. They shared a home in Huntington Station, NY before finally marrying in 1981 (?). In addition to being a dedicated mother, grandmother and wife, Blanche spent 26 years working for A&S until retiring in 1990. I swear after she retired she looked 20 years younger. As a lifelong parishioner at Bethel AME Church in Huntington, NY Blanche was involved in community events and various church initiatives including the Treasury Board and Women’s Day.
I have so many memories of my Nana. The last time I spoke to her she called to tell me she was staying a bit longer at my moms house in North Carolina. Her voice was filled with joy and before hanging up she told me she loved me. Today that call means everything to me. We never really said I Love You because we saw each other everyday and it just went without saying. But there’s something about being on the phone with someone that tends to prompt those words when saying goodbye. I’m so grateful I have that to hold on to. One other memory I have is when I lived with her when I was in college. I came home from work one day and went into my room to find all of my bills spread across my bed. On the envelope of each one in red writing was the word paid. My Nana paid all of my bills. That’s who she was!!! Caring, loving, funny, honest, hard working, supportive, generous, smart and soooo much more. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about her. NOT ONE DAY!!
So as I type this and think about my Nana Blanche Elaine Wideman Jones, I smile. I smile because I know she’d be happy that I talk to my mom everyday. I smile because I know she’d be happy to know that her children all spend time with one another on holidays and vacations. I smile because i know she’d be happy to know that we all still laugh and we all still love!! Today as I honor her for Black History Month on her birthday I sit in a space of peace. Peace because I know for sure that based on what she gave us she’s definitely resting in peace!!!