Ethel Blanscet

Ethel Frances Blanscet, age 83, a relentless fighter, went home to be with her Lord on January 6, 2020, after a long hard-fought battle with medical issues, with her son, John, holding her hand at her bedside.

Ethel Frances Blanscet’s courageous battle began on August 7, 1936 in Pacific, Missouri when she was born to John and Mary Roberts. Ethel was the youngest of 4 children, all who preceded her in death except for an older brother, Charles, who survives her in Lebanon, Missouri. Preceding her in death was her brother, John, who passed away as an infant and her sister, Jacqueline.

At age 6 months old, Ethel was one of the first babies to be diagnosed with pyloric stenosis and undergo surgery in St. Louis, Missouri where she stayed and recovered in the hospital until she was 2 years old. She continued to have medical issues with her being in and out of numerous hospitals endless times throughout her life. Ethel’s family later moved to Mineville, New York where she grew up and then to Lebanon, Missouri where she graduated from high school. In 1956, she moved to Roswell, New Mexico where she met her first husband, William “Bill” Dean, Jr. and got married on March 20, 1959.  They were married 18 years until he passed away in 1977.  In 1989, she married Lawrence Blanscet on May 20, 1989 and was married for 28 years until he passed away in 2017.

Throughout her life, she worked as a beautician at the Walker Air Force Base beauty shop in Roswell, New Mexico and as secretary/treasurer and later vice president at Dean Motor Company. She also worked at Roswell Daily Record until she retired.

Ethel had a big heart for children and an immense love for animals.

Ethel Frances Blanscet is survived by her 2 children, John Dean (Leslie) of Roswell, New Mexico and Ben Dean (Rosemary) of Roswell, New Mexico. She also leaves behind 3 grandchildren; Jennifer Peach (Marty) of Roswell, New Mexico; Melissa Gill (James) of Medina, Ohio and Bill Dean (Irma) of Roswell, New Mexico along with 6 great-grandchildren; Caleb Cullen, Connor Cullen, JD Peach, Gracie Peach, Everleigh Peach and William Dean.

“Nothing is more beautiful than a real smile that has struggled through tears.” – Unknown

She would fall, she would cry, she would get angry, she would get scared, but through all the years of her pain and her struggles, she … would NEVER quit.

A special thank you to Maureen DeNio, RN of Encompass Hospice for her compassion and for the comfort that she provided us in our time of need.

This tribute was lovingly written in honor of Ethel by her family.