Barbara J Blanchard

Barbara J Blanchard, 67, passed away peacefully on Aug. 27th 2015. She had been suffering from a long-term neurological disorder complicated by a stroke. She was born at Ellis Hospital on Oct. 28, 1947 to the late Helen and Bud Blanchard. She attended Niskayuna schools and graduated from BHBL High School in 1965. She received her BA and MSW from SUNY Albany. Barbara is best known for her roles as a civic leader, mentor and quintessential idealist. She believed in finding the good in Schenectady and creating it where it didn't already exist. After college, she worked for twenty years as a Schenectady County Child Protective Services Case Worker and Supervisor. She led a Girl Scout troop for 13 years and spearheaded the troop's Silver Award project to present a walking tour through Vale Cemetery. Barb was always interested in Schenectady's history and was the organizer and pusher in the creation of the Union Triangle Historic District. She then served as president of the Union Triangle neighborhood association for three years. She also served on the Schenectady Historic Commission, and went on to Chair the Schenectady Heritage Foundation for 5 years. She also organized the 'Livable Cities Program' to introduce city planners to urban issues facing Schenectady. A visible testimony of Barb's 'green-sense' is the legacy of hundreds of trees planted throughout the city, because of her work with Re-Tree Schenectady. Barbara was instrumental in the creation of the City of Schenectady Energy Advisory Board in 2007. A lasting achievement that Barbara is best known for is the hugely successful Schenectady Greenmarket. She believed it would benefit this city and was the driving force in its creation, bringing together the people and resources needed to make it happen. She served as its Chair for two years. Her house was always available as a meeting spot for committee work and fund-raising events were organized around her dining room table. Her civic activism and desire to support ecological initiatives led her to become an 'accidental' politician. As a political newcomer, she won a seat on the Schenectady City Council, serving two terms. Barb was known as a 'voice for the people' of her city regardless of their politics or personalities. Her enthusiasm, evenhandedness and respect for others are models that we all can learn from and she will be greatly missed by so many who worked with her on these endeavors over the years. She is survived by her husband Art Edelstein, her daughter Rachel Edelstein (Jonathan Ingram) of Texas, her sisters, Candy Fiet of Scotia, Pam Brown (Mike) of Rotterdam, a brother, Eddie Abare (Mary) of Florida, step-sisters, Shelley Sossei (John) of New Hampshire and Lori Carmer (Brian) of Saratoga. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours will be Thurs. Sept. 3rd, 5 - 8 pm at the Bond Funeral Home, 1614 Guilderland Ave., Schenectady, NY. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Schenectady Greenmarket (P.O. Box 954 Schenectady, NY 12301) or Roots and Wisdom (107 Nott Terrace, Suite 301 Schenectady, NY 12308).