Submitted by: Dan Rich

Blanche M. Montine

Sept. 7, 1912 - Jan. 23, 2003

South Bend Tribune 1/26/2003

Blanche M. Montine, 90, formerly of East LaSalle Avenue, South Bend, Ind., departed this world at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the Ironwood Health and Rehab Center surrounded by the comfort of her only daughter, Joann, and family

Blanche was born in Marion, Ky., to the union of Etta L. Vaughn and Edward Robinson. She was the youngest of four children, Morris, Lawrence and Eula, all of whom preceded her in death. She spent some of her life in Evansville, Indianapolis and Kalamazoo before making South Bend her home. In 1946 she married William B. Montine, who preceded her in death in 1982.

Blanche is survived by her only child, Joann (Oldfather) Catanzarite and Bob Derrickson; four grandchildren, Ross Catanzarite Jr., Anthony Catanzarite, Pam (William) Reinke and Mark (Susan) Catanzarite, all of South Bend. She has eight great-grandchildren, Aaron (Kelly) Catanzarite, Nick (Augusta) Catanzarite, Ryan Catanzarite, Dustin Catanzarite, Maria Catanzarite, William Reinke, Austin Reinke and Natalia Catanzarite. She also has four great-great-grandchildren.

Blanche enjoyed life to its fullest and lived out most of her ambitions. She was formerly employed by the Credit Bureau of South Bend and was the founder of Drain Surgeon, Inc. But for most of her adult life she was a professional entertainer and musician. She performed at numerous organ bars throughout the area in an act known as "Sing Along With Blanche." Some of those establishments included the Blue Note, Club Lido, Turner's, Irvin's and Portofino's. Blanche was the longest-running entertainment ever at the Holiday Inn in Roseland, spending eight years as the main act that would pack them in night after night. She made many friends along the way.

Blanche was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local #278, Eastern Star, and Eagles Lodge #435.

Most importantly, Blanche, or "Nonnie" as she was known by so many, was extremely proud of and devoted to her daughter and grandchildren. She spent her lifetime teaching us all right from wrong and always had open arms for whomever stopped by. She enjoyed her grandchildren immensely and would drop whatever she was doing to care for and entertain them. Nonnie thoroughly loved nature and taught us all to appreciate the many gifts that God put on this earth.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff of Ironwood Health and Rehab and those at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center-Mishawaka, who cared for her in the end.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, in the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Rev. Ed Erskin will officiate. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Blanche Montine may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.