Blanche Marie (Duffy) Pitchford

Blanche Marie (Duffy) Pitchford, 88, passed away after a short illness, in the hospital on Sunday, July 21, 2024 surrounded by family. Blanche was born in the aftermath of the Great St. Patrick's Day Flood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in March of 1936. She was the third of four children. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Blanche graduated from a private Catholic girls' school and went on to study at the University of Miami, where she met fellow Ibis and Pennsylvanian, George Pitchford. They eloped in January of 1956. Shortly thereafter, they began their family of six children, 16 grandchildren and 21 great -grandchildren. As a mother and grandmother, Blanche was the glue that kept the family together throughout the years with Sunday afternoon swimming activities, barbecue feasts, big holiday gatherings, birthdays and support of her numerous grandkids in sports, dance, choir, graduations, reunions and more. In the 1970s, as a mother first and foremost, Blanche also found time to own and operate a popular café in downtown McAllen called the Chit Chat. At the same time she opened up a women's dress shop, The Ms. Shop in south McAllen, which still operates today. Blanche was a talker and made friends everywhere she landed. After countless moves to four different states and six different cities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas during her first 12 years of marriage, Blanche and George finally settled in McAllen. Once settled, she was active in Beta Sigma Phi sorority, became a McAllen Greeter for visiting conventions and volunteered at her church. She was active in her kid's extracurricular activities as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and was heavily involved in her youngest daughters' 4H activities and their nights of barrel racing and bull riding at Rio Round Up. She had many passions including playing Yahtzee, word puzzles and hitting the slots when she could. She enjoyed watching "The Price Is Right", "Young & Restless", "Wheel of Fortune" and Hallmark Christmas movies. Throughout her life, Blanche always loved talking on the phone, about anything and everything using her gift of gab every day with her ever present Yankee accent. But most of all, Blanche loved to dance. Blanche is survived by her five children, Patti (Terry) Van Burkleo of Austin/McAllen, Texas, George (Sandy) Pitchford of McAllen, Mark (Tammy) Pitchford of Zelionople, Pa., Michelle Perez (Victor) of McAllen and Beth Pitchford of McAllen and countless nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, George Pitchford and her son, William Cullen Pitchford. We take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and is once again united with her husband, son, family and friends. A celebration of life will be held Friday, July 26 at 11:30 am at Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church, 4000 N. Taylor Rd., McAllen, Texas. The family deeply appreciates your support during this time and asks that you make contributions to the church or a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Blanche Marie (Duffy) Pitchford

July 21, 2024