Obituary of Blanche Maud Baechlin

Blanche Edwards Baechlin Devoted mother, cherished grandmother who lived her life with strength and wisdom Blanche Edwards Baechlin, 94, of West Caldwell, NJ, passed away on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014. A private, family service will be held at Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, NJ, on Friday, April 18, 2014. Plans to celebrate her extraordinary life with her friends and the devoted staff of the Health Center at Crane's Mill will be announced. Arrangements are in care of Codey & Jones Funeral Home of Caldwell, NJ. To extend condolences or share a memory, please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com. Born in Bloomfield, NJ, the fourth child of Emlyn Reese and Margie Dann Edwards, Blanche graduated from Bloomfield High School and attended the Traphagen School of Fashion Design in New York. A talented and creative artist, life's circumstances prevented her from applying her design skills professionally, but her young children could boast of award-winning dance and Halloween costumes, and many school, community and church organizations benefited from her artistic skills. Deeply rooted in her faith, Blanche was a member of Watchung Presbyterian Church and the Caldwell United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and was active as a church volunteer. Life in the early 40s was marked by the effects of World War II, and Blanche's life was like many others of her generation. She married her high school sweetheart, John "Jack" Clark, Jr., only to lose him a year and a half later in a plane crash in Italy, where he is buried in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery. Following his death, Blanche joined the American Red Cross and was sent by ship to New Guinea where she served as a staff assistant, returning to the west coast at the end of the War. After relocating to Alabama upon her return to the states and the birth of a daughter, she eventually moved back to Bloomfield to marry Bob Baechlin, a widower with two daughters. Together, they expanded their family with the birth of two sons. Blanche was widowed three times and did not have an easy life, including living with narcolepsy, but she always did so with dignity and grace. She was quiet, but strong-willed. She was insightful and caring about social issues and demonstrated compassion and understanding of those around her. In her later years, she amused many with her sense of humor, when you least expected it, and her ability to make sure you knew "she was not asleep" when a narcoleptic attack took hold. But most of all, Blanche will be remembered as a beautiful, kind and sweet Mother, Grandmother and friend who was truly devoted to those she loved. Predeceased by her stepdaughter the Rev. Willa Roghair and son-in-law Bill Glynn, Blanche is survived by her stepdaughter Roberta Laguna, son-in-law the Rev. Jim Roghair, daughter Carolyn Glynn, sons Dann Baechlin and Robert Baechlin and daughter-in-law Ruth Baechlin. She also leaves grandchildren Nick and David Roghair, Art Laguna, Maggie Lambert, Rob Baechlin and Michael Glynn, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family requests that in loving memory of Blanche, please consider a donation to the Narcolepsy Network, the Caldwell United Methodist Church, Lutheran Social Ministries or a charity of your choice.