Obituary of Ann Blanchard Evans

Our generous, selfless and beloved mother, wife and friend, Ann Josephine Blanchard Evans, left us peacefully on February 16, 2021 at age 87. She joins many loved ones in heaven, most notably her husband of 61 years, John (“Jack”) Evans. Ann was born on April 13, 1933, the daughter of Katharine Maroney Blanchard, an English teacher at Owego Free Academy, and Albert Blanchard, the Cornell Farm Bureau Agent for Tioga County. Ann was a lifelong resident of Owego and was happiest in her home at 325 Main Street, where her mother and grandmother had grown and lived before her. Ann is survived by her six children and their spouses, Emily and Damon Pazzaglini of New York, NY; Jonathan and Erin Evans of Owego, NY; Katharine and Neil Blevins of Sammamish, WA; Sarah Evans and Michelle Wolf of Apalachin, NY; Elizabeth and Gregory Robberechts of Bethesda, MD; Benjamin Evans of Ithaca, NY and Aileen Fitzmaurice of Pleasantville, NY., as well as ten grandchildren, Caitlyn, Matthew, Rebecca, Maxwell, Madeline, Pauline, Jack, Charlotte, Julia and Sophie. Ann graduated from Saint Patrick’s School, Owego Free Academy and the College of Saint Elizabeth. She spent her early career teaching fourth grade in Candor and was an active member of the Owego social scene, notably playing the role of Ruth in the Ti-Awagha Players’ 1959 performance of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” and carrying on a family tradition as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Having grown up as an only child, Ann wished for a big family and a loud and loving home, and God saw to it that she got her wish. After meeting Jack through the Ti-Awagha Players, Ann started her family in 1965 with the birth of her daughter Emily, and she never looked back. Above all else, Ann taught us the meaning of selflessness, always putting her family first without hesitation. She was a humble and quiet hero at home, tirelessly cooking, ironing, cleaning, teaching and chauffeuring so that her husband and children could always be at their best. Ann taught by example, using her precious free time to help others in her community as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, the Tioga County Rural Ministry and Stray Haven. She also practiced her strong faith as an active member of Saint Patrick’s Church and the Christian Family Movement, where she developed many of her most treasured, lifelong friendships. Second only to her love of family, Ann was a passionate pet owner and animal advocate. Over the years, she rescued dozens of cats and dogs from shelters, from the side of the road, or from wherever she encountered them. She was drawn to the pure love found with animals and was known to be up early in the morning and late at night, happily caring for her pets. Ann loved welcoming family and friends to her home to connect, catch up and laugh over a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and she was always ready to join a card game, play a prank on April Fool’s Day or entertain her family with stories about her childhood in Owego. She was the kind of wife who loved her husband for exactly who he was, the kind of mother who gave without expecting anything in return, and the kind of friend who took the time to call or send a handwritten note, just to say hello. She leaves us missing a huge piece of our hearts, but with precious memories of happy birthday parties, big family dinners, picnics at Cayuga Lake and long walks on summer nights. We will never forget her wide smile and loving gaze and are forever grateful to her for teaching us every day that true love is selfless. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 11:00 am at Saint Patrick’s Church, 300 Main Street, Owego, NY with services live streamed at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com (Click on obit). Please note: All state required social distancing guidelines are to be followed. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Owego, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ann’s name to the Tioga County Rural Ministry, Attn: Sister Mary, 143 North Ave., Owego, NY 13827 or to Stray Haven Humane Society, 194 Shepard Road, Waverly, NY 14892. Condolences may be made to Ann’s family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com.