Josephine “Toots” Blankenship, age 92, of McKeesport, PA, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Born July 23, 1932, in McKeesport, PA, and is the daughter of the late Casto and Elizabeth Borelli Leone and the wife of the late James Alfred Blankenship. Toots was also preceded in death by her siblings, Mary Kostic; Delores Phillips; Nicola Leone; Joseph Leone; and Thomas Leone.
She was a long-time baker at Minerva Bakery in McKeesport, PA. She loved to travel and bake, but most of all she loved spending time with her daughters and family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Toots is survived by daughters, Sharon Blankenship of McKeesport; Kathleen (John) Coulter of McKeesport, PA; Sandra (the late Michael) Jacobs of McKeesport, PA; and Lisa (the late Vince) Laird of McKeesport, PA; grandchildren, Frank (Kelley) Jimenez of McKeesport; Jay (Mary) Shatlock of Youngsville, LA; James (Rachael) Blankenship of Baldwin, PA; Bryan (Aarika) Coulter of Beaver Falls, PA; Michael Jacobs of McKeesport, PA; Andrea (Dejan) Stevens of McKeesport, PA; and Vincent (Erich) of McKeesport, PA; twelve great-grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Buster.
Family and friends will gather on Friday, September 13, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177). Services will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel and officiated by Pastor Charles Owston. A burial will follow.
To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com