Blanche Alice Holub Ruuspakka

Blanche Alice Holub Ruuspakka, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness on March 15, 2014. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Blanche Holub, her son-in-law, Richard L. Lang, and sister, Sylvia Williams.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Eero Ruuspakka of Newfield, NY; daughter, Dawn Marie (James Cancro) Lang of Vestal, NY; special "daughter" she held in her heart, Robin (Roy) Kanno of San Ramon, CA; granddaughters Krystle (Johannes) Kuhs of Bethesda, MD and Kimberly (Eric) McHenry of Endwell, NY; great-grandson Liam Kuhs; sister, Anne Rogers of Newfield, NY and several nieces and nephews.

Blanche, the eldest of three daughters, was born at home on November 21, 1923 in Newfield, NY to Joseph Holub and Blanche Matejicek Holub. She graduated from Newfield Central School and went to work at Eclipse in Elmira, NY, where she contributed to WWII by producing time fuses for bombs. Her early years were spent as a farm wife working by her husband's side and later taking pride in remodeling and maintaining their apartment house for Cornell Graduate students. Fulfilling a life long dream, Blanche returned to school mid-life and graduated from the Ithaca School of Practical Nursing in 1970. She made her family so very proud while being the oldest member, she graduated at the top of her class. Blanche generously used her nursing skills to provide excellent care for her family members throughout the years. She was a strong proponent of further education, believing it was the one thing in life that could never be taken away.

English was Blanche's second language. She enjoyed speaking the Czech language and participating in her ethic heritage through her membership in the Czechoslovak-Moravian Club and the Premsyl Otakar Lodge, a group her grandfather helped found in Pony Hollow in the early 1900's.

Blanche loved politics and served as a Tompkins County Election Inspector for more than 50 years. She was also a member of the Newfield Senior Citizens.

She was a very sensitive and emotional person. She was quick to tears but equally as quick to share a laugh. Blanche was a loving wife, a very devoted mother, and grandmother. She truly believed that her sole purpose in life was to be a grandmother. Her two granddaughters were her whole life and she was so very proud of them.

She woke each morning to an "I love you" from Petrie, her Quaker Parrot. She adored her "therapy" granddog, Lexi Lou, and in her final months, enjoyed the caregiving company of her great-grandpups, Cosette and Everett. Blanche demonstrated her love for animals with her final act of donating her pacemaker to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals so that one animal's heart might beat a bit stronger and longer.

Blanche was loved and remembered by everyone that ever met her. Though her departure leaves a large void in our lives, we will always hold her in our hearts forever. It was her wishes there would be no calling hours. A Spring burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery, Newfield, NY at the convenience of the family.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Riverview Manor on the night she departed, especially to Paul and Candi for their support, compassion, and excellent care. Special gratitude is extended to Dr. Steven Casos of the Trauma Team at Robert Packer Hospital for his compassion, family support, and understanding what comfort care is all about. A special thank you to Dennis Zimmer and all the staff at Robert Packer 6SW for providing the very best care and support for both Blanche and her family.

Memorial donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation at www.cny.wish.org or The Broome County Humane Society at 2 Jackson Street, Binghamton, NY 13903.