Jane Blank

Jane Blank, 86, passed away peacefully in her home in Ghent, NY, on August 13, 2026. She was born on April 20, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY. She was the daughter of Jess and Paul Mackin. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Walter Blank. She is survived by her three children, Leslie Blank, Larry Blank, and Brian Blank; daughters-in-law, Susan Blank and Aili Blank; and grandchildren Dylan Blank and Harper Blank.

Jane grew up in Chatham, NJ, and went to nursing school at the University of Vermont. It was at UVM where she met her husband, Walter. After graduating, she started her family and put her career on hold to raise her 3 children. After her youngest child, Brian, finished high school, she started a 25-year career as the school nurse at Chatham High School in Chatham, NY.

In 1975, the Blank family moved to a farmhouse in Ghent, NY. The house is located on a private 100-acre lot surrounded by trees, fields, and a creek. Walter named it Fitting Creek Farm. For the next 50 years, the house was the focal point for the family, hosting weddings, Thanksgiving, Christmas, graduations, and many other family occasions, and serving as the place of Jane’s passing. In her later years, Jane would spend hours sitting on the deck taking in the beauty of the farm. She loved viewing all the wildlife that lived there. It was a blessing that Jane was able to stay on the farm through her passing.

Jane spent her life caring for others as a mother, wife, school nurse, and volunteer. She will be deeply missed by family and friends. But there is much comfort knowing she lived a full life, touched many lives, and died peacefully in the place she loved.

A time for sharing memories and offering condolences will be from 5:00 to 6:00pm on August 28, 2026 at French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Ave., Chatham. There will be a short service with reflections starting at 6:00pm.

Arrangements are entrusted to Robert M. Donaghue, French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham.