Jean Blanche

Jean Astrup Faubel Blanche died on May 6th, 2009 at he age of 95. She passed away at the Laurel Lake Retirement Community in Hudson, Ohio. Jean was the daughter of William E. and Lydia G. Astrup. She was born in Cleveland on November 12, 1913. Her grandfather, a Danish sail maker, founded the Astrup Company in 1876. The company became the leading distributor of outdoor, recreational and technical fabrics as well as hardware. Mrs. Blanche attended Flora Stone Mather College where she was a member of Phi Kappa Zeta. Here, she finished pre-med. A graduate of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, Mrs. Blanche was a member of Gamma Phi Beta and earned a degree in biology. She became a biology teacher and married Eugene L. Faubel, whom she had known since she was 16, in 1940. From 1956 to 1961, she owned Jean Faubel Feminine Fashions in Bay Village and served as Deaconess at Bay City Presbyterian Church after her husband's business transfer to Michigan. Jean and Eugene enjoyed 41 years of marriage until Mr. Faubel's death in 1981. She later married Don Blanche of Cleveland. They shared a home in Solano Beach, California until their separation. Jean was a former member of Mayfield Country Club, the Cleveland Yacht Club, the Cleveland Athletic Club, Palmbrook Country Club in Sun City, Colliers Reserve Country Club in Naples, and the Bay City Country Club. Mrs. Blanche served as Vice President of the Bay Village Women's Club and former President of the Bay Village PTA. She was a world traveler, having been on over 24 cruises, including the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary and a 100-day itinerary around the world. She witnessed Jesse Owens' Olympic run in 1936 and later traveled to England, France, Scotland, Cuba, India, Australia, China, New Guinea and New Zealand. Mrs. Blanch was a travel agent in New York City, Bay City and Phoenix, Arizona. As well as being known for her travels, Mrs. Blanche was also a philanthropist who gave generously to a variety of schools and charities. She is survived by her son, Gene A. Faubel and daughter-in-law, Marion Justice; her two grandchildren, Jill Pekarek Chris and Scott Faubel; and three great-grandchildren, Julia, Kyle and Caroline. A private family service will be held at Knollwood Mausoleum. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in her name to the Laurel Lake Foundation, 200 Laurel Lake Drive, Hudson, OH 44236 or to Crossroads Hospice, 9775 Rockside Road, Suite 270, Valley View, OH 44125.


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