Aileen Ruth Blankinship Fletcher completed her earthly journey Thursday, June 6, 2024.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Massie and Anne Blankinship; her brother, Massie Blankinship; and her husband of 58 years, Peter Leon Griffin Fletcher.
She was born July 30,1942 in Washington DC and was raised in Bethesda, Maryland, but resided in the New River Valley for the majority of her life. Earning her Master of Arts, she was best known best as a professor of art at NRCC for 33 years and retired in 2011, but continued her passion for the arts by continuing to teach at NRCC and volunteer for numerous arts related groups such as the Blacksburg Regional Arts Association. Her hobbies revolved around the arts for many, many years and never missed a chance to show her many works around the NRV and beyond. She had much support of her LOF for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, one of which she and Peter were one of the original founding families.
She is survived by her daughter, Maria Ruth Fletcher; son Kevin Leon Fletcher (Melissa); sister-in-law, Edna Blankinship; nephew Walker; her beloved
grandchildren, Nell and Gibson Hughes; nieces Eva and Maria; and her fur babies who brought her much joy her entire life.
A celebration of life will be held July 27, 2024,1-3 p.m. at The Warm Hearth in the Village Center. For info contact Maria at mariasgardening@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the following loves of our mother: New River Community College Educational Foundation (online www.nr.edu/giveonline or by mail), Blacksburg Regional Arts Association, Floyd Center For The Arts, and Montgomery Museum.
