Always Showing Up: Jeanne has been a present force in her family’s lives for as long as they can remember

Jeanne Blankenship does not like to make mistakes, and she certainly lives her life the right way. She did not make a mistake in the way she raised her family and she did not make a mistake when she asked God into her heart.

Jeanne is so much more than just a mistake-free individual too. She is someone who shows up for her loved ones, has a great work ethic, and has an itch to travel.

She is also the love of her husband of almost 50 years’ life. She has been by his side through all that life has thrown their way, and he truly loves her with all his heart.

“She means everything to me,” Jim said. “We have a large family. There’s like 19 of us when we all get together. She goes to church all the time. She’s very talented. She does baking; she sews. She makes gifts for the family; for friends. She could’ve been a baker or even a stained glass maker. There’re so many different things she’s capable of. She is not afraid to try new things either. But I think the biggest thing is the family life.”

Jim speaks very highly of his wife, and rightfully so. It seems like anything she tries, she is successful at. It is that drive and determination to get things done right.

But, like Jim said, all of that is honestly moot in comparison to her being there for her family. Family is the first priority – outside of faith – to Jeanne, and Jim has learned a lot from her throughout the years just in that regard.

“She’s taught me patience,” he said. “I’ve learned that family gatherings are important. She has seven brothers, so she came from a big family. I guess family values are what I’ve really learned from her.”

Speaking of family values, Jeanne and Jim have four children, three children-in-law, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and the way Jeanne has shown up for each of them every single day has been amazing. She has been a role model for her children in particular, and all four of them were instilled with such great morals and values growing up.

“She can do multiple things and still have an idea of what to make for family meals,” Jim said about his wife as a mother. “We divided taking one kid to one event and the other to the other. We made sure they got our support and that one of us was always there. Whether it was band or a sporting event or a Christmas program. There were multiple times we would both be there.”

The Blankenships focused on being present parents, and that went a long way in the nurturing of their relationships with their children. None of them ever felt left out, and that is because this couple always wanted to make sure they were in the crowd for their kids.

Now they do the same thing for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jeanne in particular is also the spoiling grandparent who will give the kids treats and will just always make them feel loved, and the fact that she and Jim do everything together has already shaped multiple generations.

“Basically, kind of the same thing that makes her a great mother makes her a great grandmother and great-grandmother,” Jim said. “The grandkids are all into different things like our kids were. We’ll spend all day going to different events. She bakes, and from the oldest grandkid to the youngest, they say she makes the best mac and cheese and brownies Grandma can make.”

Sign us up to try some of that!

But for real, whether it is her showing her love through food, laughter, attention, or anything else, Jeanne is constantly making her family feel worthy and special.

“She’s always there when you need her,” her daughter Jenny said. “Mom’s a good seamstress – she made special dance dresses for us girls, as well as Halloween costumes, and she still continues to make special blankets, aprons, potholders and bags for us. She is great in the kitchen – she made each of our wedding cakes when we got married and other special occasion cakes while growing up.”

Another love language for Jeanne is selflessness, as she is constantly putting herself last at the benefit of others. If anyone needs anything, they know they can count on her to be there for them.

This includes her friends – especially her closest ones – as they all love and appreciate Jeanne with all their heart. They love the fact that they get to spend as much time with her as they do, and that is because being in her presence can instantly change your mood.

“There’s her and four girlfriends that will get together all the time,” Jim said. “They definitely get together every year.”

Friends that stick together are something else, as are couples that stick together like Jeanne and Jim. And while some of that has to do with their trips – to Alaska, for example – and their love of attending their grandchildren’s events, a lot of it also has to do with how awesome and loving Jeanne is. She is Jim’s forever woman and the only one he could ever have imagined God sending on this earth to be his wife.

“I’m looking forward to our 50-year anniversary this year. All my love, Jim.”