Maria Francois Blank

Maria do Carmo Franco Pato Francois Blank was born on July 16, 1938, and entered into eternal rest on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the age of 86. 

Maria is survived by her eight children, all who were born within ten-and-a-half years of her wedding: David (Marye) Blank, Kathy Trahan, Diane (Bill) Cook, Richard (Carol) Blank, Paula Blank, Theresa Luckett, Andrea Blank, and Alexa (Tim) Ritchie. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Maria Teresa Francois, niece Tessa Francois, great-nephew Diogo Neves and great-niece Jordana (Manuel) Machado and their sons, Simao and Joshua. She leaves behind 15 precious grandchildren: Dale (Janie) Blank, Michael (Nasseem) Blank, Karie (Mike) LaFleur, Darryl Hudson, Stephen Hudson (Mandy Newman), Adam Cook, Aaron Cook, Morgan Blank, McCall (Eric) Rushing, Corey (Kelsey) Luckett, Mitchell (Katie) Luckett, Bennett Blank, Brennan Ritchie, Kramer Ritchie (Amanda Givens), and Arden Ritchie; 16 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous other loving family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 65 years, Dale Joseph James Blank; her parents, Pato and Emilia Francois; her brothers, Jose’ and Carlos; her nephew Marcos Borba; and her in-laws, Emile and Thelma Blank. 

Maria was born in Terceira, Azores, Portugal and met Dale there when she was 15 years old. At 18, they married and soon began growing their family. They relocated in 1960, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and eventually settled in the Audubon Terrace subdivision, where she made many dear and lifelong friends.

Maria was gifted with both beauty and intelligence. She could speak multiple languages, beat almost anyone in Scrabble, and answer almost all the questions on Jeopardy without hesitation. She devoted all her time and energy to her family and friends, always managing to keep up with everyone’s activities. Her talents as a seamstress were unmatched - including whipping up last-minute prom dresses, cheer/dance uniforms or even dresses for an entire bridal party! Her love for her dogs was evident to all and extended even to “grand-dogs”. Maria was always there when you needed her, she will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her and loved her.

The Blank family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Maria’s wonderful physicians: Dr. Darrin M. Breaux, Dr. Gerald Barber, Dr. Allen Moore, Dr. James Sim and Dr. Barrett Johnston, as well as her amazing caregivers, Barbara Hubbard and Tena Smith.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Resthaven Gardens of Memory and Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge. A Memorial Visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 1:00 p.m. 

At the family’s request, a private inurnment will be held at a later date.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com