Longtime La Cañada and Montrose resident Blanche Hamilton died on May 10 at the age of 88. Born in Chicago Heights, Ill., she was the eighth of nine children to Stanley and Anna Bielenin.

Most notable of her accomplishments in her life was her involvement with Holy Redeemer Catholic Church where she served as a longtime volunteer and Eucharistic minister. She was active in many organizations including the Catholic Daughters of America for over 50 years, the Pioneers Club of the Foothills, and the American Red Cross. She also volunteered as an elections precinct officer in Los Angeles County and was honored by the United States House of Representatives for outstanding senior volunteer service.

She is survived by her family: sons William Hamilton of San Bernardino and Rick Hamilton and his wife Bonnie of Seattle, Wash., and daughter Sharon Saurer and her husband Bob of Montrose. In addition to her children, she is survived by her two grandchildren: Rob Saurer and Kacie Hamilton, goddaughter Carol Zwit and the Hamilton, Stryzek and Bielenin families of Tujunga and Chicago.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 26 at 10 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2411 Montrose Ave., Montrose with a reception following in Healy Hall.

Friends are asked to sign an online guestbook at http://www.crippenmortuary.com.