Justice Edwin Beach observed Elizabeth’s tireless efforts on behalf of others for generations, and was struck by her “kindness, gentleness and graciousness...she could be firm but always gracious.” Elizabeth’s dedication to BCL is legendary, and her 20-year tenure as a trustee was typical of her “bringing something magic to everything she becomes involved in. She is great in heart and spirit,” noted Beach.“Elizabeth was one of my first friends” when she moved to the city, said Cathy Barringer. “She’s been like a sister to me for 60 years.” Barringer added that she thinks of Elizabeth more as a “community catalyst than an activist,” whose “wonderful sense of humor” was a hallmark of her overall attitude.A letter from Irv Wilde detailing their longtime friendship was read by Sawyer, and Wilde noted that Elizabeth always showed incredible kindness, even to those she did not really know.Elizabeth’s daughter Betsy Chess, son John Blanchard and stepdaughter Angela Grave lauded her skills at coping with at times boisterous children.“It’s not easy being the daughter of a paragon,” noted Betsy, and, If Elizabeth is “about anything, it is community.”“You’re so terrific to come and support Mom,” John told the crowd. “She’s so supportable....”“She’s been the most wonderful role model to me,” Angela noted of Elizabeth.Representatives of Rep. Elton Gallegly, Senator George Runner and Assemblymember Audra Strickland presented proclamations to Elizabeth, as did Vice Mayor Rick Cook.“I’m 88 and proud of it,” said Elizabeth. “...Santa Paula is a remarkable place.”Elizabeth noted she has learned that “It doesn’t matter who you know or what you know, but making the best of where and what you are.”
Elizabeth Blanchard lauded as SPB&GC Toast of the Town
June 08, 2005
Santa Paula News
“I just love Elizabeth, she’s done so much for Santa Paula and Ventura County...she’s just a dear heart of Santa Paula,” is the way that Supervisor Kathy Long described Elizabeth Blanchard, honored by the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Paula as the Toast of the Town 2005.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula Times“I just love Elizabeth, she’s done so much for Santa Paula and Ventura County...she’s just a dear heart of Santa Paula,” is the way that Supervisor Kathy Long described Elizabeth Blanchard, honored by the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Paula as the Toast of the Town 2005. Elizabeth was honored May 20 at the Community Center, where dozens of rose bushes and bouquets reflected her still flowering contributions to the community.Honoring Elizabeth is “something we’ve looked forward to for a long time,” noted B&GCSP Board President Gary Nasalroad.Club Executive Director Pat Zwagerman said that Blanchard’s “lifetime of work” affected the community positively, especially through her long-time support of the youth.Elizabeth served as a Cub Scout den mother and Bluebirds leader, and taught Sunday school at the United Methodist Church, as well diverse classes on various religions for high school students. She also served respectively on the Santa Paula High and Elementary School Boards for 17 years.Elizabeth served as a Ventura County Juvenile Justice Commissioner for 22 years, on the Santa Paula Housing Authority Commission, and was the President and longtime Trustee of the Blanchard Community Library Board. She also served the SPHS Endowment Fund, and was Past President of the Ventura County Museum of History & Art, as well as a dedicated Santa Paula California Oil Museum docent.Honored as 1983 Santa Paula Citizen of the Year, in 1991 she was saluted as Distinguished Senior by Caregivers. A Santa Paula Woman of History in 1995, Elizabeth was also later honored by Interface Children Family Services, which established a Youth Community Service Award in her name.Born on a family ranch in Bardsdale, she moved to Santa Paula when she was 10 years old. When Elizabeth attended Santa Paula High School, she was Student Body Vice President and editor of both El Solano and the Cardinal, among other activities. After graduation she attended Holmby College, and later married Eliot Blanchard in 1937. They both attended Stanford until their graduations in 1939, and Elizabeth received her BA degree with a triple major in journalism, economics and history.Rob Sawyer was the Toast’s Master of Ceremonies, and thanked the event’s numerous sponsors.Nasalroad noted that Elizabeth is among that rare breed easily identifiable just by their first name, although since his own childhood he was used to calling her Mrs. Blanchard. “Several years ago, at a charity event, she said she was glad” that the younger generation was stepping up to shoulder the needs of those less fortunate. “I was honored to think that my generation could fill the shoes of yours!” Nasalroad said he told Elizabeth.
