Alberta L. Blance

Alberta L. (Pike) Blance, (Bobbi), 71 of Lowell, MA and Prospect Harbor, ME, passed away at Lowell General Hospital on July, 4, 2011 after a two year battle with acute myelogenous leukemia which involved intensive regimens of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. She credited those treatments and care involving difficult periods of hospitalization at Mass General Hospital and Lowell General hospital with allowing her to enjoy a likely two extra years of life to spend with her family and many friends. She had expressed wishes to extend her utmost gratitude to all the professionals involved in her care, every single one of whom she felt provided her with the greatest compassion and knowledgeable service imaginable, and becoming fast friends with many of them.

Alberta was born on November 10, 1939 in Calais, Maine, the daughter of Arthur and Margaret (Noble) Pike. She grew up in Calais and was educated in Calais schools. After her marriage to George Blance, Jr., she lived with her family in Ellsworth, ME, Hudson, NH, Burlington, MA, Billerica, MA, Chelmsford, MA, and finally in Lowell. She worked at a number of jobs over the years, in retail sales positions, as a waitress and as a pharmacy technician. She was universally known for her dependability and competence in all her endeavors.

Alberta had that rare ability to instantly project her uniquely attractive personality toward new acquaintances, a quality that allowed her to gain many enduring friendships over her lifetime. She always placed more importance on the well-being and comfort of those around her than on her own welfare. Her favorite activities were in sharing quality time interacting with her family and friends, both at work and in leisure activities, and in managing her home. She enjoyed cooking, and as her family and close friends can attest, was an extremely good one.

She is survived by her husband, her daughter Pauline A. Shain, of Calais, her son George C. Blance III of Lowell, granddaughters Erica and Dawn Shain of Calais and great granddaughter Briana Shain of Calais. She is also survived by her brother Francis (Sonny) Pike and his wife Doris, of Baileyville, Maine, sisters Ann Brown of Lynn Haven Florida and Jane Olsson of Nashua, NH, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother John Pike.

In honor of her previously stated request, no memorial or funeral service will be observed. Also, at her request, cremation will take place with the ashes to be kept at the family home until the passing of her husband, at which time their ashes will be buried in unison at the family cemetery lot at Greenwood Cemetery in Winter Harbor, Maine