Sister Blanche (James Martha) SC died peacefully at Caritas Residence on April 5, 2025, at the age of 97. She was born on January 27, 1928, in Three Brooks, New Brunswick, the daughter of the late James Daniel White and Martha (Purvis). She entered the Sisters of Charity-Halifax in 1951 and made her first profession in 1953. Sister Blanche lived a life of unwavering faith, service, and compassion.

Following her first profession, Sister Blanche was missioned to Sydney, NS, where she was a housekeeper at the Hamilton Hospital. Throughout her long and devoted life, Sister Blanche dedicated herself to the care and nourishment of others—both physically and spiritually. After receiving her Certificate in Dietary Administration for Food Service Managers, she served faithfully as a food service manager in Nova Scotia, Alberta, Quebec, and Massachusetts. Her work was not only a profession but a ministry through which she expressed her deep commitment to serving others. Whether preparing meals or maintaining the warmth and order of her surroundings, she brought dignity and grace to every task.

In 1982, Sister Blanche was missioned in Bathurst, NB, where she attended to the hearts of the poor at the Sacred Heart Convent. There, she combined her professional skills with her spiritual calling—attending to convent duties while ensuring that those in need were fed and cared for. Her kitchen was a place of welcome; her hands worked not only with flour and dough but with love and intention.

Beyond her formal roles, Sister Blanche was deeply embedded in her community. She was a gifted homemaker who extended her talents far beyond the walls of any one residence. With needle and thread always close at hand, she offered her sewing skills generously—mending clothing for those in need and always responding when someone required help. Sister Blanche began a new ministry, when she became a driver for the community at St. Vincent Convent in Alberta. In 1990, Sister Blanche retired to the Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse where she continued her ministry as a driver for the Sisters in her community. Her fellow Sisters note that she was always available when needed and always offered her services with good conversation and a smile. Her kindness was quiet but constant; she made herself available without hesitation or expectation.

Those who knew Sister Blanche remember her as kind, humble and holy. She was a woman of gentle humour, she loved and lived with a spirit of holiness. Her life was a testament to selflessness: she gave freely of herself while remaining steadfast in her faith and ministry. Sister Blanche leaves behind a legacy of service rooted in love—a life lived humbly yet profoundly in devotion to others.

In addition to her parents, Sister Blanche is predeceased by her brothers: Charles, Claude, James White and her sister Isabel Thompson. She is survived by her sister Jean Preeper, along with many nieces and nephews.

All services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Caritas Residence, 215 Seton Road, Halifax. A Welcoming and Vigil service will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 10:00AM. The Funeral Mass will be open to Sisters, Associates, family and close friends. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/5048169/fbf9228114 . Burial will take place in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville, NS, immediately following the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Charity.