One hundred happy birthdays to Blanche Beer from everyone at Karbon Homes! Blanche’s neighbour Norma got in touch to tell us of the grand occasion and to wish her friend lots of love.
Blanche’s daughter Eileen flew in from Canada to celebrate with the rest of the family and told us about her beloved mam.
“Mam’s fiercely independent. She’s just incredible. A born caregiver – I think that’s the best way to sum her up. She has always looked out for others.”
Name: Blanche Beer nee Stoker
Childhood: I was born in East Stanley in 1922 and had a younger sister Jean. We grew up in Stanley and our father was a manager of the green grocery at the Co-op.
Family life: I married local bricklayer John James in the middle of the war, in 1942. His skills were very much in demand so he stayed here to help the war effort by building barracks and such. Eileen was born in 1944 and our second daughter, Jennifer, in 1948 and we lived in New Kyo. I became an auxiliary nurse at Shotley Bridge Hospital and remained there until I retired at the age of 60. I loved it.
Loves: Church and music have been the great loves of my life. I was the organist at East Stanley Methodist Church for 75 years. I started playing as assistant organist at the age of 15 before taking over the main duties – leading Sunday services every week and providing music for hundreds of weddings, funerals and baptisms over the years. I played a part in the lives of many families.
I was the superintendent of the Sunday School too and really enjoyed watching the local children grow up. Although I can no longer play music because of an accident, my beloved piano takes pride of place in my home and is the focal point.
We'd also like to wish Karbon customer, Lorna Hannan of South Shields a very happy 100th birthday!
One hundred happy birthdays to Blanche Beer from everyone at Karbon Homes! Blanche’s neighbour Norma got in touch to tell us of the grand occasion and to wish her friend lots of love.
Blanche’s daughter Eileen flew in from Canada to celebrate with the rest of the family and told us about her beloved mam.
“Mam’s fiercely independent. She’s just incredible. A born caregiver – I think that’s the best way to sum her up. She has always looked out for others.”
Name: Blanche Beer nee Stoker
Childhood: I was born in East Stanley in 1922 and had a younger sister Jean. We grew up in Stanley and our father was a manager of the green grocery at the Co-op.
Family life: I married local bricklayer John James in the middle of the war, in 1942. His skills were very much in demand so he stayed here to help the war effort by building barracks and such. Eileen was born in 1944 and our second daughter, Jennifer, in 1948 and we lived in New Kyo. I became an auxiliary nurse at Shotley Bridge Hospital and remained there until I retired at the age of 60. I loved it.
Loves: Church and music have been the great loves of my life. I was the organist at East Stanley Methodist Church for 75 years. I started playing as assistant organist at the age of 15 before taking over the main duties – leading Sunday services every week and providing music for hundreds of weddings, funerals and baptisms over the years. I played a part in the lives of many families.
I was the superintendent of the Sunday School too and really enjoyed watching the local children grow up. Although I can no longer play music because of an accident, my beloved piano takes pride of place in my home and is the focal point.
We'd also like to wish Karbon customer, Lorna Hannan of South Shields a very happy 100th birthday!
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