Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 9, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Rosemary Dew Blanchard, 99, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC surrounded by her loving family. Born in Roanoke, VA, on September 12, 1923, she was one of four children of the late Caldwell Talley Dew and Rose James Dew.

Rosemary showed an early inclination toward the sciences and attended Roanoke College in Salem, VA, at the age of 16, where she attained a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she was invited to work at the University of Virginia Hospital with the newly developed electroencephalogram (EEG) device in the emerging field of brain wave studies.  Rosemary spent nine wonderful years conducting research at the hospital in Charlottesville.  In 1951, she submitted a thesis that sought to disprove the stigma of stuttering as a purely psychological rather than physiological phenomenon.  During this time, she earned her Master’s in Speech Pathology from UVA.  It was also during this time that Rosemary met the Chief Resident of Neurosurgery, George Blanchard, Jr., whom she happily married in 1952.

After George was called to move to Charlotte, NC to begin his neurosurgery practice in 1954, Rosemary built a new life in their new city.  A devoted mother to their two young children, George III and Jane, she filled their family home with music and love, and they found fellowship in their longtime church, Trinity Presbyterian.  Closing the door on her fruitful career as a laboratory scientist, Rosemary found a new niche, predominantly, in the fine arts, an interest both she and George shared and cultivated within their children.  Rosemary served The Charlotte Symphony in various capacities: 20 years on the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, President of the Symphony Women’s Association, Board of Directors of the American Symphony Orchestra, League Volunteer Council, she had the honor to hold the position of Chairman of the search committee that brought eminent Maestro Leo Dreihuys to Charlotte, a founding member of the North Carolina Association of Symphonies and she founded The Charlotte Assembly social organization.  Additionally, she served The Charlotte Arts and Science Council, The Mint Museum Auxiliary, and The Golden Circle Theatre.

Rosemary Blanchard enjoyed a plentiful life of many cherished seasons. Her early years were marked by a distinguished career in cutting edge science research, followed by a tenacious commitment to the appreciation of art and culture in her later years, her most cherished role was as wife, mother and friend. She was grateful for the care of her devoted aide, Patricia Tolbert, in her later years.

Rosemary is survived by her son, George Carswell Blanchard III of Charlotte, NC; her grandchildren, Phillip Andrew Cox and Caroline Maxwell Cox and her husband, Robert Lee; her brother, Caldwell “Eugene” Dew and his wife, Pat of Salem, VA and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She was pre-deceased by her husband, Dr. George Carswell Blanchard, Jr. her loving daughter, Jane Maxwell Cox and her husband, Phillip; her sisters, Beverly Dew Smith and her husband, Krehl, and Barbara Dew Craft and her husband, Donald of Salem, VA; daughter-in-law, Sally Blanchard and niece, Tammy.

A memorial service for Rosemary will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Trinity Presbyterian Church.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Rosemary to Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Attn: Development Office, 128 S. Tryon Street, Suite. 350, Charlotte, NC 28202 or Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.