Blanche Irene SANSOM

1922 - 2022

BLANCHE IRENE SANSOM Blanche Irene Sansom of Oakville, Ontario died peacefully on October 1, 2022, at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, with family by her side. She was 99, just 12 days shy of her 100th birthday, a celebration which she had been enthusiastically anticipating. Blanche was born in Toronto on October 13, 1922, daughter of Amy May Victoria Pengelly (nee Grant) and Gordon Harold Pengelly. She was predeceased by her husband, Frederick J. Sansom, and her brother, Dr. G. Allan Pengelly. She is survived by her four much-loved children and their spouses: Kathryn Heath (Brian Hook), Wendy Sansom (Donald Foster-deceased), Kenneth Sansom (Brenda), Deborah Battiston (Lee), and by her 11 grandchildren Jeff Hook, Andrew Battiston (Laura Belsito), James Hook (Ciara Sawicki), Cameron Heath (Andrea), Graeme Heath, Jennifer Battiston (Dave White), Elizabeth Foster, David Battiston, Ian Foster, Tyler Sansom and Eric Sansom. She will be deeply missed by her dear surviving brother William James Pengelly ("Jim"), and her four great-grandchildren: Hudson Battiston, Emilia Battiston, Caden Heath, and Jack Battiston. Also, as a much-loved Auntie Butch and Aunt Blanche by her many nieces, nephews, and their families on both the Pengelly and Sansom sides. Blanche attended Humberside High School in Toronto and graduated from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Toronto in 1943. She furthered her education in 1970 at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, where she obtained her upgraded designation in surgical nursing, an accomplishment of which her family, and especially Fred, was immensely proud. She worked as a surgical nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital ("St. Joe's") in Toronto until her retirement in 1982. She was an inspiration to so many who met and knew her. She was warm, encouraging, loving and practical. She loved life and enjoyed every moment to the fullest until the day she died. No challenge dissuaded her, and she used those that presented as learning opportunities. In 1937, she met the love of her life, Fred, as introduced to her by her brother Allan, as a first date on Fred's 17th birthday. They married in 1947 after Fred returned from WWII in Europe, and they started their family shortly thereafter. Blanche loved the family cottage on Kennisis Lake in Haliburton, Ontario, which was the focal point of so many family and friend gatherings, where love and laughter were always the order of the day. Her sense of humour was a cornerstone, and she was always so grateful for her family and friends and all that life had to offer. She was the matriarch, and with Fred, the anchor of our family. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Arthritis Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or a Charity of Your Choice would be greatly appreciated. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be sent to www.canadiancremation.com.