Blanche Whitaker

BLANCHE KANE WHITAKER, born on April 10, 1930 to parents Wilbur and Lucy Kane, was the fifth of nine children in a close-knit, loving family. Blanche was raised and educated in Baltimore, MD, graduating from Dunbar High School in 1947. She married Levy Whitaker, Jr. of Enfield, NC on September 6, 1947 and out of this union came three daughters – Carolyn, Janice and Priscilla. Levy preceded Blanche in death in 2009 after over 60 years of marriage. Blanche left this world peacefully on July 5, 2024 at 94 years of age, with Carolyn holding her hand and kissing her forehead. Blanche deepened her Christian walk as a teenager under the tutelage of Rev. Eugene Grove at Grace Memorial Baptist Church. “Sister Kane” sang in the choir, and had a knack for knowing the lyrics to a plethora of songs and hymns. As Blanche saw her brothers go off to fight in the wars of their day, she was a source of stability, being a faithful steward of the financial resources that her brother William sent home. She kept accurate accounting records, a skill that would serve her throughout her life. Living at 1817 N. Caroline Street with her young family and extended family members was a great source of pride for Blanche. She developed a love for being an immaculate homemaker with an eye for décor – tailoring drapes, hanging wallpaper and painting fixtures. In 1957, Blanche and Levy moved to their quaint home at 2021 N. Washington Street, which Blanche affectionately called “2021.” Blanche always had an open door for the 54 years that she resided there. 2021 was a loving, welcoming home that touched the lives of so many, including her siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many others. Playing the piano at 2021 was a favorite pastime. Blanche was especially fond of Christmastime at 2021 with family. The Christmas tree would go up shortly after Thanksgiving. Those were special moments filled with laughter, stories, singing and the warmth of spending quality time together. Friendly and outgoing with an infectious smile, Blanche was active in her neighborhood and community, where almost everyone knew her name. While her girls were young, Blanche worked part-time within walking distance of home so that she could be there for them before and after school. As the girls got older, Blanche took a position as cafeteria supervisor at Koppers Company on Scott Street and was eventually promoted to an office position in clerical accounting. She was either the only black person or one of very few black people in Koppers corporate offices in Baltimore; indeed, Blanche was a trailblazer of integration there, and she credited Affirmative Action. Blanche would often reminisce about her office, how she strictly enforced the company’s policies on managing cash reimbursements, and how she sent messages overseas using the Telex machine (predecessor to the fax machine). In 1983, at age 53, Blanche took advantage of an early retirement offer from Koppers after many years of service. She treated herself to a sleek Ford Thunderbird with white interior. Blanche was proud of her three daughters and boastful of their accomplishments. Carolyn, Janice, and Priscilla raised families of their own, kept beautiful homes, and worked and retired from their respective professions. Blanche instilled in her daughters the value of doing their civic duty, including voting, being active in community organizations, and staying abreast of politics, whether local or national. Blanche’s children always knew that there were no favorites. Blanche would often buy things in multiples of three – to give one to each of them. Blanche at times remarked with reminiscence that she enjoyed her children so much that she felt like she grew up with them. Early retirement meant that Blanche could devote more time to being the doting grandmother she was to Brian, Cheri, William, Melissa and Allison. She was a “hands on” grandma, never hesitating to get down on the floor with them, playing card games, board games and jacks, making silly tape recordings and watching kids TV shows. Blanche used permanent hunter green paint on her walkway to draw hopscotch squares, and she would play the game with her grandchildren tossing the heel of a shoe and hopping along on one leg. Sleepovers at Grandma’s were commonplace and would sometimes happen on the fly – and Blanche was perfectly fine with that. She made it fun to be a kid, but at the same time she commanded and received respect. Otherwise, she would “jack you up!” Blanche took pride in her grandchildren and instilled in them the value of being presentable and having self-respect. She was quick to tighten a button, hem a pair of pants, polish saddle shoes, iron a shirt, and wash shoelaces. Even neighborhood friends of her grandchildren took fondly to Blanche, with Blanche giving them nicknames that would stick forever. Then came the great-grandchildren – Brendan, Serai, Luke, Chloe and Isaac – and Blanche was all the more doting on them as well. Affectionately known as “GG,” Blanche did not miss births, graduations, birthdays or any special occasions for her family. GG welcomed them to home-cooked meals at her apartment, and even into her 90s, was diligent about starching and ironing shirts for the littlest, Isaac. Until her last breath, Blanche would happily display a customized tote that featured “GG’s Tweethearts” with a little happy bird representing each of her five great-grands. She had so much pride in how her family expanded over the years, and her family was equally proud to have her as their matriarch. Blanche enjoyed traveling and attending dignified social events. She knew how to dress. Her signature style was tailored, classic and elegant. She stepped out “clean as Dick’s hatband!” – a phrase she often used that brought on a big smile. Blanche rode the rails from Baltimore to points of interest across the country, to the southwest and to California. She traveled to visit Carolyn in San Francisco, and Janice in Pennsylvania, Delaware and California. Summer vacations at Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks and Hershey Park were times she enjoyed with her family. Kane family reunions were always on her agenda to attend. She loved her siblings and her entire extended family very much and they loved her. Blanche could tell stories for days. Her memory was impeccable, even until the very end. She could recall details of things that happened in her life or the life of others with remarkable detail, even down to what people were wearing at the time, what year it was, or where they were. Her wit, wisdom and mental sharpness were nothing short of phenomenal. She often joked that when doing one of her favorite things – crossword puzzles – she used a pen, not a pencil. Blanche lived a long, fulfilling life and leaves behind a cherished legacy of love, compassion, and resilience. Blanche’s life has been a testament to the power of family, friendship, and faith. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered by the many whose lives she touched. To quote her own words that she would often repeat to her family, “If I close my eyes today or tomorrow, I am thankful that I have been so blessed. I am proud of ALL of you!” In addition to two of her daughters (Carolyn Whitaker and Priscilla March), five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Blanche is survived by: one brother, Edward Kane Sr. and two sisters, Regina Mello and Catherine Benson. Further, she is survived by one brother-in-law, Lawrence Mello, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends. Sadly, her sister, Marion Morris, passed away at 101 years of age on July 18, 2024. Blanche is preceded in death by her husband Levy Whitaker Jr., daughter Janice Collier, son-in-law Herdie “Jim” Collier, and siblings Charles Kane, William Kane, Doris Wilson, and Herbert Kane, Sr. Lovingly Submitted, The Family

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Blanche Whitaker

April 10, 1930 - July 5, 2024