Alice Delaney Blattner
March 18, 1929 - January 25, 2021
On January 25, 2021, Alice Delaney Blattner, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 91.
Alice was born in Latah, WA in 1929, the second child of Millie and Clarence Snodgrass. Her father was a school teacher and the family moved around Washington a bit, then settled in Tacoma in 1937 where she grew up with her brothers and sister (Harold, Glen, Betty and Dale) in the house on Lawrence Street. Alice met James Blattner at Lincoln High School where she was the high school newspaper editor and Jim was the feature writer for the Lil’ Abe column. They got engaged while she was attending the College of Puget Sound and working at the Tacoma Public Library. Jim sold his car for $300 to buy an engagement ring after his brother’s wife, Betty, told him that if he was serious about that girl, he should put a ring on her finger with all those returning WWII GI’s attending her college! They were married on August 19, 1949 at the Asbury Methodist Church in Tacoma. A few years later, they moved to the house on Greenwood where they raised four daughters.
Alice was a leader, an organizer and a great homemaker. She kept her busy family thriving, volunteered her time and planned many trips and holiday gatherings with friends and extended family. She especially enjoyed swimming, camping, traveling, reading, cake decorating and flower arranging. Alice was active in Girl Scouts and was the leader of Troop 781 for 10 years, often taking her scouts on campouts and hikes. She also supported the schools as PTA president for a number of years. She was a spiritual woman and was always involved in church activities, including choir, Women’s Society and church conferences. She was famous for the spring luncheons she co-chaired with wonderful table decorations, food and programs. When her daughters were grown, she worked 10 years as a Bookkeeper for her brother Dale at Rainier Office Supply.
When Alice and Jim moved to the Palatine house, they installed a swimming pool which became a focal point for many dinners, parties and reunions. Games were always a key part of the family entertainment. Alice and Jim enjoyed playing pinochle regularly with good friends Roy & Marion (also with their daughters and sons-in-law) for many years. Alice was an ace at the game of Take Two and also Spite ‘n Malice. We started calling it Spite ‘n Alice.
Alice loved camping out at their property on Lake Arrowhead and that location became a favorite destination for many large gatherings. She and Jim travelled all over the United States with family and friends and visited Europe several times, once taking The Great Trains of Europe Tour on 16 trains. They especially enjoyed boating vacations on Dale’s boat and trips to Mexico and Hawaii…one time cruising to Hawaii on the QE2.
Alice is survived by her husband of 71 years, Jim Blattner; sister Betty Savov and brother Dale Snodgrass (Janet); her children: Kathy Jacobson (Lance); Judy Bircher (Ken); Marjy Chilelli (Tony) and Barby Rhind (Kevin); grandchildren Derrik, Anthony, Annie, Kaitlyn, Andy, Karli, Serena and Alex; great grandchildren Judah and Gabriel; honorary daughters Sharon Lustig and Denise Mager (Bob); honorary grandchildren Rachael Barrett (Ben) and Mark Tremblay (Davie); honorary great grandchildren Liam and Mila; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends too numerous to list, but not forgotten.
The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern and kindness shown to them in recent days and would also like to thank the Kaiser Hospice nurses and staff for their caring help and support.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
Services will be held at a later date.
DONATIONS
Memorial donations may be made to the Woodland Park United Methodist Church (Reference the Blattner Memorial Fund) at 302 N. 78th St., Seattle, WA 98103.