Virginia Petty Blanke Briant's Obituary
Virginia Petty Blanke Briant, a devoted mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025, at the age of 79. She was born on December 4, 1945, in New Orleans to the late John S. Petty II of Shreveport, LA, and Yvonne Demont Petty of Madisonville, LA. Virginia had been a resident of Mandeville since 1975.
She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Bechac (Andrew), and was preceded in death by her son, Richard “Ricky” Hugh Blanke Jr. Virginia was a loving grandmother “Mimi” to Meredith Virginia Bechac, Camille Elizabeth Bechac, and Evan Michael Bechac.
Virginia was a resident of The Windsor Senior Living Community for four and a half years. She was beloved by peers and staff the same. She served as a maid on the Windsor’s Mardi Gras court in 2024, led various Bible studies for residents, hosted seasonal and sporting event parties, and enjoyed dancing and live music with her friends. In her free time, she enjoyed playing mahjong and therapeutically walking and guiding others through the labyrinth. In addition, she was integral in building the outdoor labyrinth at Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church in Mandeville, LA.
As an active member of the community, she contributed her talents to the Krewe of Pegasus and the Krewe of Eve. Virginia was a devoted member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, where she was a member of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW). She dedicated her time to St. Tammany Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide (S.T.O.P.S), served on the Coroner's LOSS (Local Outreach for Survivors of Suicide) Team, was an accredited Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.S.I.S.T) instructor, and facilitated the Survivors of Suicide (SOS) support groups. Additionally, she was involved in the Addiction Recovery Ministry and the Compassionate Friends support groups.
Virginia previously owned two local businesses, Let’s Get Organized and Holly’s Hallmark Store. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard H. Blanke Sr. and the late John P. Briant Jr.
The family would like to thank the Windsor Senior Living Community staff and administration for their amazing care and loving environment.
In honor of her passionate dedication to St. Tammany Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide (S.T.O.P.S), donations can be made in Virginia’s memory at http://www.stops-la.com/home.aspx.
Her legacy of service and love will be cherished by her family, friends, and the many lives she touched in the community.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Virginia's memorial services on Friday January 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W 21st Ave, Covington, LA 70433, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM until service time. A private interment will follow for immediate family at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to thank E.J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana for their assistance of the arrangements and invite you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at www.ehfieldingfh.com.
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