Barbara Jean Blank

Barbara Jean Blank passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026, following a hard-fought and courageous battle with her health. A true social butterfly, Barb spent her life bringing people together, seeing the absolute best in everyone she met, and leaving a lasting impression of warmth and positivity wherever she went.

Born on September 4, 1961, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Barb was the cherished daughter of George Kelly and Jean Kelly (Kaiser). She grew up in Havertown, Pennsylvania, where she attended Cardinal O'Hara High School. Guided by a natural desire to care for others, she studied phlebotomy and began her career working in an oncology practice. She later dedicated many years of service as a traveling phlebotomist for Ephrata Hospital. Through her gentle care and dedication, she touched the lives of countless patients who looked forward to her visits and her bright spirit.

Family was the center of Barb’s world. She is survived by her devoted husband and the true love of her life, Robert Blank. She was a deeply loving mother to her two children, Eric Pride (and his spouse, Brice Pride) and Shawna Pride, and a doting grandmother to her grandson, Tallyn, whom she absolutely adored. Barb is preceded in death by her beloved brother, Paul Kelly, and is survived by Paul's partner, Bobbie Montgomery, and their daughter, her dear niece, Samantha Kelly, of Millsboro, Delaware.

Barb was the ultimate host, famous for throwing numerous parties throughout the year just to surround herself with the people she loved. She brought that same nurturing spirit into her home as an avid indoor gardener, finding great joy in tending to her many beloved plants. In the second half of her life, she also channeled her immense capacity for love into fostering and adopting retired racing greyhounds. These dogs were far more than pets to her; they were family. During her many surgeries and difficult health battles, her greyhounds and her quiet moments with her plants provided her with profound comfort, loyalty, and peace. Barb leaves behind a beautiful legacy carried on by her family and an endless circle of friends who became family.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Barbara’s memory to Nittany Greyhounds (www.nittanygreys.org), an organization close to her heart that dedicates its mission to helping retired racing greyhounds find loving homes.