We Live in Hearts We Leave Behind~Thomas Campbell

A funeral will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2011 for 90-year-old Florence L. Blandford of Perryville who died June 19, 2011 at Independence Care Center of Perry County.

She was born November 8, 1920 in Highland, daughter of Lawrence and Cecelia (French) Renaud who both preceded her in death.

She married Valley Blandford on January 13, 1940. He preceded her in death on November 11, 1971.

She is survived by two sons: Donald Blandford of St. Louis and Garry Blandford of St. Charles; a daughter: Judy Rabbitt of Overland, Kansas; three brothers: Eldon Renaud of St. Louis, Milton Renaud of Perryville and Leo Renaud of Centerville, Texas; a sister: Clara Schloss of St. Louis, 10 grandchildren: Timothy Blandford, Bryan Blandford, Julie LoPiccalo, Marla Weis, Stephen Rabbitt, Kevin Blandford, Jerry Hitchcock, Bradley Amberger, Lisa Brown and Angela Schindler; and 13 great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by two sons: Wayne and Rickey Blandford; a daughter: Jean Ann Amberger; a grandson: Eric Blandford; three sisters: Severina Renaud, Aileen Winkler and Norma Renaud: and three brothers: Bernard, Norbert and Ottmer Renaud.

She had worked at the shoe factory.

She was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and a former member of the Daughters of Isabella, she was very strong in her faith. As a devoted and caring wife, mother and grandmother, nothing meant more to her than her family. She was the glue that held her family together. Many dinners and special occasions were celebrated at her home.

Saint Francis de Sales once said "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, Nothing so strong as real strength". She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her gentle spirit.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2011 and 6:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at the Young & Sons Funeral Home in Perryville. A Catholic wake will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and a rosary will be held at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday.

A funeral mass for 90-year-old Florence L. Blandford of Perryville will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. Milton Ryan will officiate. Burial will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is grateful for any donations to the American Cancer Society or Asthma Association or St. Vincent de Paul.