Jean Wise Blades

On the fifth of April 2018, Jean Wise Blades passed away while resting peacefully in her beloved home at Reeds Creek in Trappe, MD. She was born in the Memorial Hospital of Easton, MD, on July 1, in a year she never revealed. Mrs. Blades was the only child of a prominent Talbot County businessman and farmer, Granville L. Wise, and his wife, Ethel Sheridan Wise. After a childhood spent in Trappe, Mrs. Blades graduated from the Hannah Moore Academy in Baltimore and then pursued business studies at Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington, DE. After graduation, she took a job in the business office of Diamond State Bell Telephone Company. Desirous of continuing her education, she enrolled at Gettysburg College. Subsequently, she matriculated at Washington College and in 1963, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. After studying Library Science at The Catholic University of America, Mrs. Blades became the librarian at North Dorchester High School. She subsequently claimed that she handed in her resignation from the library on her first day but stayed to finish the school year. Two weeks after graduating from Washington College, Mrs. Blades married Gene William Blades on June 8, 1963, at St. Paul’s Church in Trappe. After briefly residing at the Old Baker Farm outside Trappe (now the site of La Trappe Heights), the newlyweds moved to Reeds Creek and began to lovingly restore the colonial home. Mrs. Blades followed her brief career as a school librarian by taking a position with the United States Department of Agriculture. She continued in that role until the birth of her first son, Granville G. Blades. Desirous of continuing an active career, she returned to work after her son’s birth and became a legal secretary to Easton lawyer, Lee Gillis. Mrs. Blades left that job after the birth of her youngest son, Gene W. Blades, Jr. (Despairing that Granville would forever call his brother “Baby”, she eventually conceded that her second child bore a resemblance to Charlie Brown leading to his lifelong nickname of “Charlie”). With her family complete, Mrs. Blades devoted the next twenty years to raising her sons. She became a committed advocate and a constant support for their education. Tirelessly serving as Room Mother, Field Trip Chaperone, and volunteer, she became well-known at both The Country School and Saints Peter and Paul School as her sons’ education progressed. History and travel were among Jean Blades’ great passions. Beginning with a 1953 trip to pre-Castro Cuba, she would visit all seven continents and every country that was safe for Americans (and a few that were rather dodgy). With her sons graduating from college, she began to work part-time at Smith Travel in Easton as a way of sharing her love of adventure with others. Whether at home or traveling, she acquired numerous books which she read quickly and vociferously. Her love of her family farms was another constant in Mrs. Blades’ life. As her parents aged, she assumed the leading role in managing the many farms her family acquired over time. She was particularly proud of holding onto Mount Hebron Farm next to Trappe which her grandparents purchased after the First World War. In these endeavors, she quickly acquired a reputation as “The Boss” and a woman with whom it was best not to trifle. Jean Blades was a woman of firm beliefs and strong convictions. An early admirer of Richard Nixon, she remained one of his most devoted defenders to her dying day. She was a strong feminist and an equally strong supporter of Republican policies and free market capitalism. She loved animals with great passion but would not suffer human fools. Funny and quick witted, she enjoyed a good joke, but never at the expense of others. Mrs. Blades is survived by her husband of fifty-five years, Gene W. Blades; her sons, Granville and Charlie; Charlie’s wife, Nancy; and their children, Adam and Nikki. She is also survived by her loyal feline companion, Tune. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 9, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 S. Harrison St., in Easton, where friends may call one-hour prior from 10-11 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider making a donation in Jean Blades’ memory to the Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Drive., Easton, MD 21601.

Jean Wise Blades

July 1, 1940 - April 5, 2018