LAKE GEORGE – Blanche Hall Herrick Ross. It is with great sadness that the family of Blanche Ross shares news of her passing on January 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Blanche was born on October 2, 1933, at Glens Falls Hospital, the daughter of the late Milford and Marion (Lapointe) Hall. Following graduation from South Glens Falls High School, Blanche went on to attend Ellis Nursing School, graduating with her nursing certificate.
On November 6th, 1950, she married the love of her life, Guy William (Bill) Herrick, Jr. at Saint Paul’s Church in Kingsbury. Bill passed away on January 31, 1998. On September 16th, 2000, Blanche married her best friend, Roy (Bud) Ross at the Harrisena Community Church in Queensbury. Bud passed away on January 5, 2022.
Blanche was employed as a nurse at Glens Falls Hospital for over thirty years. During her time at Glens Falls Hospital she worked in the operating room, the recovery room, as well as the pre and post operative units.
Blanche was a member of the Lake George Community Methodist Church where she served as Trustee and was instrumental in the decision to change from the United Methodist Church to the Global Methodist Church, providing a larger ministry and more accreditations for the church. At Blanche’s suggestion, the church was renamed the Lake George Community Methodist Church. She coordinated the collection of names, addresses and birthdates for church members and visitors. She loved helping with “Hidden Treasures”, the church’s consignment shop. The church family was very near and dear to Blanche and her family wishes to extend a special thank you for the love, support and encouragement they extended to Blanche.
Blanche also volunteered for two years with Washington County Hospice, as well as at the Pawlet Library, the neighbor-to-neighbor program in Manchester, Vermont and served as past president of the Glens Falls Hospital Guild. She was also a member of the Merry Mohegans Square Dancing Club. Blanche loved traveling, wintering in Florida, dancing and most of all spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. and her great-great-grandchild. Her family was the most treasured part of her life.
In addition to her parents and two husbands, Blanche was predeceased by an infant sister and one step grandson, Thomas J. McKinney Jr.
She is survived by her three children, Gary M Herrick (Sonja) of Bath, Richard E. Herrick (Sharon) of Hebron and Lake Alfred Fla. and Leisha McKinney (Tom) of Lake George. Blanche leaves ten grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren with one more on the way, three-step great-grandchildren and one on the way and one great-great-grandchild, along with their spouses and significant others as well as several in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank her aides, Amanda Rawlins, Deb Tirri, and Lynessa Kilmartin for allowing Blanche the privilege of remaining in her home and providing her with such compassionate care. A special thanks to the three amigos, Leisha McKinney, Kelly and Gary Herrick for their unwavering care during her final days and to her son-in-law, Tom McKinney, for building Blanche her first brand new home, the one that would become her last home. Thank you to all of the family and friends who helped make Blanche’s final months, weeks, and hours special and meaningful.
A special thank you to High Peaks Hospice for taking care of her at the end of her life, as well as Dr. Liebers and Dr. Aarons.
Calling hours will be held on February 1, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Lake George Community Methodist Church, 78 Montcalm Street, Lake George with a funeral service to immediately follow with Pastor Thomas Albrecht, officiating.
A celebration of Blanche’s life will be held in the Albany Room at the Conference Center at Fort William Henry following the church service.
Burial will be at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Kingsbury in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Haynes House of Hope, 7178 NY Rt. 149, Granville, N.Y. 12832.
