FIRTH, Blanche Jean, 80, of Yarmouth, passed away after a courageous battle with Alzheimer Disease on Thursday September 1, 2011. Blanche was born July 29, 1931 in Bear Point, Shelburne County. She lived the majority of her life in Yarmouth. She graduated in 1952 from the Yarmouth School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse after having done affiliate training at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal. She worked as a nurse for many years both in patient care and later as a clinical supervisor at the Yarmouth School of Nursing and as an instructor for the CNA program at the Burridge Campus Yarmouth. She was a member of the Zion United Baptist Church, Yarmouth and was President and Past President of the Zion Women’s Serve Guild, CGIT leader, Sunday School Teacher and served over 20 years as a Deacon of the church. Blanche was actively involved in the Yarmouth Community. She served as President of the Yarmouth Figure Skating Club for two terms and was a Member of the Yarmouth historical society co-authoring two genealogy books: “Samuel Corning and the Nova Scotia Migration”; and “Moses Perry, A Founding Father of Yarmouth”. She was also a member of the Zion Ladies Missionary Society, Saint Andrews Society, Yarmouth Hospital Nurses Alumni and an avid member of TOPS. Blanche enjoyed camping with her family, collecting antique glass and the occasional excursion with the kids on their band trips across the country. In later years, as Blanche’s health failed she continued to be fixture, accompanied her beloved Bernie, in all their favourite Yarmouth restaurants. She was preceded by her parents Harold Arthur and Jean Viola (Perry) Corning. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bernard (Bernie); sister Mary Ann (Ted) Mitchell, Sparks, Nevada; children Heather (Mike) McClelland, Holly (David) Cottreau; Mark (Barb) Firth all of Yarmouth and Heidie (Dale) Halliday of Halifax; Five Grandchildren, Matthew (Melissa) Cottreau, Patrick (Mindy Wellband) McClelland, Jennifer McClelland, Jonathan (Caitlin Regan) Cottreau, step grandson Brody Halliday and many nieces and nephews. Blanche always had a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone making her a compassionate and caring mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, nurse and friend. We love you bundles Mom. Funeral services were held Monday, September 5th at 2 p.m., from Zion United Baptist Church, Parade Street Yarmouth. Visitation was held Sunday September 4th, at Sweeny’s Funeral Home, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Family flowers only. Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Alzheimer Society, the Yarmouth Food Bank or a charity of your choice. Family interment at a later date.