Blanche E. Moran, a pillar to both the Upper Dublin, Pennsylvania and Ocean City, New Jersey communities, passed away on July 8, 2022.
Blanche grew up in Olney, Philadelphia. She was the granddaughter of the city’s first tire dealer; Frank Shaw Tires. Blanche would eventually move out of the city with her husband, Edwin Moran, to Upper Dublin where they would raise their five children; Leslie, Mark, Dawn, Valerie and Duane.
Blanche was well known for her dedication and commitment to water safety; and as such a majority of her time was spent at the Upper Dublin High School pool. As a lifeguard and lifeguard instructor for over 50 years, she understood the importance of being able to swim. Her devotion inspired countless others to apply that same level of care and concern to the waterfront. Blanche created a legacy that was preceded by her family – both children and grandchildren, who were lifeguards, pool supervisors and swimming instructors themselves for Upper Dublin Community Aquatics. She ingrained her values of water safety in all of her descendants from youth and they continue to carry that torch to this day.
Another major part of Blanche’s life was spending time in Ocean City, New Jersey. Her Grandfather, Frank Shaw, whom she was extremely fond of and would speak about often, purchased a shore house for their family on 15th street. The house served as a second home to Blanche and her family growing up and was eventually inherited by her. She would reciprocate the gift her grandfather gave her by sharing the shore house with her own children and grandchildren for decades to come. The house provided countless fond memories for anyone who stayed. Blanche eventually moved down to live in Ocean City at her house full time and spent a majority of her remaining years in her favorite place.
Blanche was known for her active lifestyle. She was an avid bicyclist. She would participate in events like the Tour de Shore, an event where riders would make the trek from Philadelphia to Atlantic City by bike. She would participate in this event many times during her lifetime with friends and family. Blanche continued to ride her bike all over Ocean City up to the ripe age of 90. Going to the beach was a huge part of her and her family’s life. Almost every beach day would end at sunset. Blanche was a passionate swimmer, fisherman and boater in Ocean city as well. Blanche even had the opportunity to pilot airplanes for a time. There was not much Blanche could not do.
We remember Blanche for her kindness, selflessness, and sense of humor. We will remember her for always having the best Halloween costume. We will remember her for her iconic phrases such as “there’s three types of good; Good, no good and good for nothing – take your pick” or saying “that’s enough to sink a ship” when overapplying sunscreen. We remember her for her light-hearted stubbornness. We remember her for her resilience to life. We remember her affectionately as “Mom” and “Grammy”.
Blanche Moran is survived by four children – Leslie, Dawn, Valerie and Duane; nine grandchildren – Melanie, David, Shawn, Torey, Brianna, Dana, Nichole, Mark and Scott, and five great-grandchildren – Claire, Haily, Steven, Soiyer, and Blakeleigh; who all had to work hard to keep up with her.
She will be sincerely missed by her family, but we are comforted by the fact that she is finally reunited with her beloved son, Mark.