Florence Blandford

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Florence L. Blandford, 90, of Perryville died Sunday, June 19, 2011, at Independence Care Center of Perry County.

She was born Nov. 8, 1920, in Highland, Mo., daughter of Lawrence and Cecelia French Renaud. She was married Jan. 13, 1940, to Valley Blandford. He preceded her in death on Nov. 11, 1971.

Survivors include two sons, Donald Blandford of St. Louis, Garry Blandford of St. Charles, Mo.; a daughter, Judy Rabbitt of Overland, Kan.; three brothers, Eldon Renaud of St. Louis, Milton Renaud of Perryville, Leo Renaud of Centerville, Texas; a sister, Clara Schloss of St. Louis; 10 grandchildren, Timothy Blandford, Bryan Blandford, Julie LoPiccalo, Marla Weis, Stephen Rabbitt, Kevin Blandford, Jerry Hitchcock, Bradley Amberger, Lisa Brown, Angela Schindler; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, Wayne and Rickey Blandford; a daughter, Jean Ann Amberger; a grandson, Eric Blandford; three sisters, Severina Renaud, Aileen Winkler and Norma Renaud; three brothers, Bernard, Norbert and Ottmer Renaud.

Blandford had worked at the shoe factory. She was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and a former member of Daughters of Isabella. She was very strong in her faith.

As a devoted and caring wife, mother and grandmother, nothing meant more to her than her family. She was the glue that held her family together. Many dinners and special occasions were celebrated at her home.

St. Francis de Sales once said, "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so strong as real strength." She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her gentle spirit.

Friends are invited to visit at Young and Sons Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. today with a Catholic wake at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday with a rosary at 8:15.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent's Church, with the Rev. Milton Ryan officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is grateful for any donations to the American Cancer Society, Asthma Association or St. Vincent de Paul Church.