Blanche Wallace

Blanche Wallace was born Monday, November 16, 1953, to the late Cyrus and Mary Wallace. She was the
seventh of nine children. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Richard, Henry, Cyrus,
Marion, Maxine and Louise.
Blanche grew up on W. 119th Street between 8th and Manhattan Avenues, where she attended the
Southern Baptist Church. At the age of 12 she and her family moved to 500 West 149th Street. Blanche
was educated in the New York City Public School System where she met her lifelong friend Sandy in the
7th grade at Edward W. Stitt Junior High School. Blanche graduated from George Washington High School
in 1972.
As a teenager Blanche attended the Church of the Intercession where she participated in the Episcopal
Young Churchmen otherwise known as EYC under the supervision of Father Gordon. She and her friends
enjoyed attending the Friday night dances, where they would rush home to be on time for curfew, but
not before stopping at Kansas Fried Chicken on St. Nicholas Place.
Blanche entered the work force in 1978 as a School Safety Agent under the New York City Board of
Education. Blanche spent a number of years working at William Howard Taft High School before being
promoted to the Task Force in the late 90’s under the New York City Police Department. Over her 32-year
career as a School Safety Agent, Blanche fostered many lasting friendships.
Blanche loved the Lord. In the early 90’s Blanche made Convent Avenue Baptist Church her church home.
It was here that she joined the Missionary Usher Board and served as a Gate Keeper for more than 25
years, until she began to lose her vision and retired her white uniform. Blanche loved her church family,
and had an affinity for her beloved Usher Board, never missing their monthly fellowship where they would
feast. Nothing kept Blanche from worshipping her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not even the pandemic.
Blanche faithfully dialed in every Sunday to listen to the word be preached and was one of the first
parishioners to attend in person when the church doors reopened. On Sandy’s final visit the day before
her passing she played the Easter Sunday Worship Service.
Blanche had several pastimes: she loved to travel from going on bus outings, ski trips, Disney World,
cruising, and the Caribbean, going to the casino, watching her favorite soap opera “One Life To Live” and
she was a die-hard New York Knicks fan. Blanche had a quiet way about her and had a dry sense of
humor that kept her friends laughing.
As Blanche began losing her vision and her health began to decline her niece, Kim, dedicated her time in
more ways than one. She did everything she could to help from grocery shopping, laundry, and household
chores. Kim was selfless and took good care of her Aunt Blanche. Blanche was a giving person. Everyone
loved and adored her. She will be sorely missed.
Blanche is survived by loving siblings, Elizabeth “Runty” Castillo and Michael Wallace; godmother, Ms.
Scott, godson, Cashe West; “The Golden Girls”, Sandy, Linda and Joann, and a host of nieces, nephews,
cousins, family and friends too numerous to mention.

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