Helen D. 'Dodie' Blancke, 90

HENLOPEN ACRES - Helen D. "Dodie" Blancke of Henlopen Acres, Rehoboth Beach, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006, in her home. She was 90.

Mrs. Blancke was born March 15, 1916, in Plainfield, N.J., daughter of the late Charles and Bertha (Brick) Doeringer.

During the 1930s, she was a model for Best & Co. in New York. She and her late husband lived in Howard County, Md., from 1950 until their retirement to Rehoboth Beach in 1968.

She enjoyed playing golf, was an avid bridge player, bird watcher and being out and enjoying nature, especially the ocean. Mrs. Blancke was an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church of Rehoboth Beach. She was also active in several community charities.

While living in Maryland, Mrs. Blancke was a charter member of the Howard County Garden Club, Howard County Hunt Club and Saint John's Episcopal Church of Ellicott City. While living in Rehoboth Beach, she was a member of the Sussex County Garden Club, an avid supporter of the Rehoboth Art League, a member of the Henlopen Acres Beach Club, Kings Creek Country Club and Rehoboth Beach Country Club.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rudolph Charles Blancke III.

She is survived by a son and a daughter-in-law, Rudolph C. IV and Karen Blancke of Rehoboth Beach; two daughters and a son-in-law, Tao B. Lehman of Amelia Island, Fla., and Jane W. and Woodrow Pitman Jr. of Baldwin, Md.; six grandchildren and their spouses, Gretchen and John Cannon of Glen Arm, Md., Woodrow Pitman III of Baltimore, Kimberly and Josh Holbrook of Holly, Mich., Torri Lehman of Newport Beach, Calif., Kelley Blancke of Plymouth, Mich., and Tasha and Drew Carver of Denver; and four great-grandchildren, Jack Cannon and Charles Cannon, Dylan Holbrook and Logan Holbrook.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Friday in All Saints Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach. The Rev. Max Wolf will officiate.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Rehoboth Art League, 12 Dodds Lane, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971; or All Saints Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Home & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes.