Patricia Ann Blanc died peacefully at her home in Hidden Cove on Dec. 31, surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted wife, mother and matriarch of a large extended family, and she left an indelible impression on the many people she touched.

Patti, as she was known to her loved ones, was born in New York city in 1930 to Richard H. Burke and Elizabeth Donnelly. She graduated from the College of Mount St. Vincent with a degree in nursing and trained at St. Vincent Hospital in New York city. In 1953 she met her husband Rene on a blind date. They married in June 1954, sharing a dream of raising a large family together. Rene’s job brought them to Jacksonville, Fla., where desegregation was in its early stages. Patti joined the faculty at the Brewster-Duval School of Nursing, a training hospital for African-American women, and created the curriculum to enable accreditation for the newly-established school. A liberal thinker, talented teacher and generous nurturer, she loved her work helping others.

In 1963, Patti and Rene moved to Simsbury, Conn. with four children. There they welcomed two more “duckins” to the family and spent seven years raising their family in a rented three-bedroom home. These were halcyon days with not much money, but the house was filled with mountains of love, mishaps and laughs. Patti accepted a job as nursing supervisor at Hartford Hospital, working nights so she and Rene could juggle child care. She always made time to create a beautiful and nurturing environment for the family, orchestrating daily schedules, creating traditions and being the conduit to both sides of the family.

In 1969 her brother, Richard Burke, introduced Patti and Rene to Martha’s Vineyard. They began taking family vacations together in Oak Bluffs where they would squeeze four adults, nine kids, and a 150 pound sand covered, drooling Newfoundland into the back of a Ford Econoline van and head to various beaches. This would be the beginning of the famous beach cookouts and Patti and Rene began spending summers on the Island, eventually making it their full-time home in 1986.

Patti had a natural aptitude for creativity and drawing and entered a painting contest, which led to a second career as an accomplished artist and art teacher. Combining her incredible artistic ability, eye for beauty and color in the world around her, and her love of teaching, she was a magnet for aspiring artists. Over the years, her studios would be a place where she enthusiastically shared her talent, found the inner artist in all her students, and created lasting friendships and memories for all who passed through.

In 1970 the family moved to Norwell, where they built a beautiful house with an attached apartment for Rene’s parents and an art studio in the basement for Patti. She cultivated a beautiful garden and home there. Rene traveled quite a bit for work at that time, and Patti cheerfully (mostly) managed a household with six kids, her in-laws, a couple of cats and a stray dog. She helped with homework and gave “artistic flair” to the kids’ report covers. Her love of all things beautiful was infectious, and she was so demonstrative that it was impossible not to appreciate it. She taught her kids about classical music, art and flowers, and also to be curious learners and compassionate people. Family dinners were a nightly and memorable routine, always at a nicely set table. Many paintings were sold and she taught art to enable her family to spend summers on Ocean Park, a few houses down from her brother’s rented house. Patti’s photo albums depict their many happy times together on the beach and on their porches. Memories created during Vineyard summers are an integral part of the entire family’s history.

During the ‘80s Patti helped her three daughters plan and orchestrate their weddings on the Island. She enjoyed the process so much she decided to start her own wedding consulting business, An Island Affair. While the Vineyard has always been a popular wedding destination, Patti was one of the first people to offer planning services. Her artistic influence, cheerful demeanor and excellent organizational skills helped create wonderful wedding memories for countless families. She enjoyed lasting friendships with many of her brides and their families.

Rene’s French upbringing and ancestry inspired Patti and Rene to take several trips to Europe to visit family. Patti especially loved these trips and created many beautiful paintings there. Dubbed as “les Americains” by their French relatives and friends, they returned with lots of wonderful stories, photos and memories to share.

Patti’s depth of character and ability to see beauty was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her enormous spirit and love is beautifully woven into the fabric of her family. She leaves her beloved husband of 62 years, Rene, and her brother, Richard Burke. She also leaves sons Richard Blanc, Christopher Blanc and Timothy Blanc, daughters Deborah Duhon, Linda Young, and Lisa Stewart, and their spouses. She adored her 14 wonderful grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. Her family has found it incredibly poignant exchanging stories with family and friends who have shared the ways she influenced their lives. She will be missed and appreciated forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs, ccgfuneralhome.com.