Arlene Blanco

  Beloved mother Arlene Marion Blanco passed away February 16, 2021 after her battle with Covid-19. She was 57 years old. Arlene’s medical staff at Lake City Medical Center worked tirelessly to give her the best care available and was by her side while she was in isolation. Though suffering with health issues, Arlene never stopped fighting and through her we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like. Born in August of 1963 in Bridgeport Michigan, Arlene was the oldest of her 3 siblings, Gary, Patricia and Kevin Ross. Through her teenage years she developed a deep love of music she would continue throughout her life. In High school she joined the chorus, pasted pages from Tiger Beat magazine all over her room, and belted out her favorites by Donnie Osmond. Known as Corky then, she spent every day with her cousin Dee Dee singing, prank calling her crush the infamous Tim Brown, and watching every episode of Donnie and Marie. It was in Hollywood, Florida she met Richard Blanco while working at an ice cream parlor on the beach. Together they raised their three children, Andrew, Christina and Summer before parting ways. Though she spent some time as a phlebotomist then later a unit secretary for an emergency room, her main occupation was raising her children. She was patient and kind, dropping everything to teach Andrew how to make her famous lasagna or fettucine alfredo as if it was the first time every time he’d ask. She shared her love of food with Christina, going out to eat and trying new dishes. She spent hours watching Netflix while Summer braided her hair. Arlene found great comfort in reading often escaping with fantasy books or the latest works of Sherrilyn Kenyon. All three of her children smile when they recall her love of musicals and her singing along to Grease and even Hairspray. She read all the Twilight books and watched the movies over and over again. She was an amazing grandmother, singing to her grandson Alex “Pooter go night night” a top hit she made up and feeding goats with Julia and teaching her about the animals on her father David Sizemore’s property. He recalls Arlene as the gentlest soul with an unmatched ability to provide unconditional love. There was no one around her who would want for comfort or love. You could depend on her to be there for everyone she cared about. We are proud to have Arlene as our mother, she made us stronger and filled us with happiness and joy.

A celebration of life will be held in Arlene’s honor on Saturday, February 20th in the Chapel of Guerry Funeral Home, Lake City, Florida. Starting with a visitation and gathering with the family at 12:00 PM, the service will start at 1:00 PM. 

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