Alice Leslie Blanchard was born July 2,1951 and sadly passed away July 29th, 2022, at Overlake hospital in Bellevue WA. She was born in Seattle Washington to William Coburn and Dorothy Marie Blanchard.
She grew up on Lake Washington, the oldest of four children. She was truly fortunate to have an idyllic childhood. Swimming in Lake Washington, exploring the woods, playing with her siblings and neighborhood children.
She graduated from Redmond High School in 1969, engaged in drama, plays, journalism and was voted homecoming princess one year. Alice graduated from the University of Washington, (Bachelor of Arts Communications, magna cum laude). She worked at Channel 9 while a student at the University of Washington and after graduating went on to Spokane WA to anchor the news for channel 13. Alice was the first woman to anchor the news in Spokane WA. She then joined channel 11 in Tacoma, first as an anchor for the 10 o’clock news. Giving up her anchor position and taking on the role of reporter for daily news allowed her to attend University of Puget sound law school at night.
She graduated from the University of Puget sound school of law (Juris Doctor in 1984) Phi Beta Kappa. She then clerked for the Honorable Robert J. Bryan, United States Judge Western District of Washington 1986-1988. Alice was hired by the Mikkelborg, Broz, Wells & Fryer law firm in Seattle WA. The firm specialized in complex litigation, involving business, maritime, immigration, employment, and fishing industry matters.
Alice left the firm in 2000 to set-up her own law practice on Whidbey Island in Langley WA. She helped clients with wills, trusts, probates, construction, development, estate planning and landlord tenant issues. She would many times take on difficult cases if she felt she could help the client. She took a personal interest in all her clients, and some became friends. She was a driving force dedicated to her clients and the community.
Alice was an artist, she enjoyed stained glass and drawing. interests also included gardening, her favorites orchids, and dahlias. In her earlier years she loved riding horses and imprinting foals. Reading, writing, and research were also very much a part of her life and passion. She was a very generous, loyal person and dedicated to her family. She would go out of her way to help people and touched many lives for the better.
Alice is survived by three siblings, Robert Blanchard, Elizabeth Blanchard Smith, and Mariah Jane Blanchard. Alice had seven nieces and nephews and although she had no children of her own, she treated her nieces and nephews as grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by Will Blanchard, Jesse Bridges, Emeline Oliveri, Shawn Bridges, Jordan Smith, Kate Kriewald, and Charlotte Kozlowski. She had a longtime friend Roberta Wilson who lent support and comfort to Alice in her last months and while hospitalized. Thanks to family friends Mary Blanchard and Susan Wolover for being there for Alice when she needed them most.
A celebration of Alice’s life will be held at Bayview Community Hall 5642 Bayview Road Langley WA. October 1, 2022, 2:30 to 5:30. Please join us if you knew Alice and have some stories to share with family and friends. Donations may be made to The Salvation Army.
