Blanche Yakmas

Blanche was born April 18, 1917 in Peekskill, New York. Her family moved to Yonkers, NY when she was three years old. She grew up in Yonkers and married Beno Yakmas on August 8, 1937. Together they had two daughters, Valerie and Mary. Blanche studied to become a medical technologist and worked in St. John's Riverside Hospital in Yonkers. When the family moved to Mahopac, NY, she worked at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel. She enjoyed her job and stayed in laboratory work for 33 years. In 1988, Blanche moved to Ft. Collins where she made several lasting friendships. She was a charter member of Scrap Happy Quilters – a loving and supportive group that she stayed with until her death. She also enjoyed other handiwork and volunteered for several years at the Fort Collins Senior Center. Blanche loved the outdoors and was an avid walker. She also loved animals and supported several organizations which worked for animal welfare and the environment. She liked to write and contributed many columns to the Ft. Collins Coloradoan. She is survived by her daughters, Valerie Vero (and husband, Frank) of Ft. Collins and Mary Kobee (and husband, Roger) of Chappaqua, NY; grandchildren, Paul Vero (and wife, Pat) of Lafayette, CO, Tim Vero (and wife, Karen) of Golden, CO, Christopher Vero of Driggs, Idaho, Michaelann Acquisto (and husband, Charlie) of Mahopac, NY, Christine Ciany (and husband, Greg) of Danbury, CT, Jeff Diorio (and wife, Jen) of Mahopac, NY, Keith Diorio (and wife, Dana) of Carmel, NY; and fourteen great-grandchildren. Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Beno; brother, Charles; and an infant son, Francis. Her family requests that any memorial donations please be made to the Larimer Humane Society, 6317 Kyle Ave., Ft. Collins, CO 80525.