Ora Blanchard

Ms. Ora Louise Blanchard died Wednesday July 24, 2007 at the age of 84. Ms. Blanchard, daughter of the late Mr. Francis Lincoln Blanchard and Mrs. Ora Hardin Wallace Blanchard, is survived by her sister, Mrs. Sophia Warner of Salt Lake City, Utah, and 16 nieces and nephews. Two nephews live locally, Mr. Robert Lathrop and Mr. Daniel Lathrop.

Ms. Blanchard, a member of the Roswell High Class of '41, graduated from New Mexico State University in 1946 with a degree in Journalism. After graduating, she moved to Florida where she made her mark as a reporter at the prestigious MIAMI NEWS. She worked at the paper for 30 years. During that time she was one of the first female reporters on staff. When Ms. Blanchard discovered she was being paid much less than her male counterparts, she showed her true Blanchard spirit and took her employer to court where she won equal compensation for herself and all female reporters who followed her. This was an accomplishment of which she was very proud.

Later, Ms. Blanchard wrote for a small publication in Immokalee, Florida, before she returned home to New Mexico in 1995. Ms. Blanchard attended the First United Methodist Church in Dexter, New Mexico, and volunteered in the Dexter Schools elementary reading program.

Ora Louise Blanchard was a loving, gentle soul who was a friend to animals. She was a wonderful Aunt, Friend and Sister and she will be missed. She was proceeded in death by her parents and sisters: Mrs. Eva Pitha, Mrs. Annie Lathrop, Mrs. Frances Bennett, as well as two infant brothers.

There are no services scheduled at this time. She was cremated as per her wishes.

Arrangement have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory On line registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com