Dorothy Jensen Blanchard

Ode to Dorothy Jensen Blanchard (1923-2024)

In Milltown, nestled by New Jersey's streams

A small-town girl was born with mighty dreams

Dorothy Jensen, in the days of yore

Grew through trials the Great Depression bore

The Great Depression's somber grip, she faced with courage bright

In a patriotic home where valor was a guiding light

Her father, a hero of the first World War's fray

Instilled in her a love for country, in every heartfelt way

In 1943, as World War's fury did call

Dorothy saw posters, brave and tall

"Join the WAVES," they beckoned, "Your country needs you now!"

With a heart full of service, she took the vow

The eldest of six, she shone from the start

Her brilliance a beacon, her mind and her heart

Skipping grades with ease, in school she soared

Top of her class at Hunter College, where ambitions roared

A pioneering WAVE among the Navy's esteemed ranks

In the Merchant Shipping Office, she earned her thanks

Monitoring safe routes across the Atlantic's expanse

Ensuring allied ships had a fighting chance

In the Pentagon's halls, her prowess known

With generals and admirals, her talents shown

Admirals Burke, Nimitz, Thackrey too

Admired her skills, her loyalty too

She worked with generals, secretaries, and more

Her influence felt on history's core

The National Security Act of '47, she saw it unfold

Creating the military that today we uphold

Despite her career, illustrious and bright

Her family remained, her heart's true light

Married to Earl, a naval soul

Together they journeyed, made each other whole

Florence Nightingale, in his final days

She cared for him, in tender ways

And with Linda, her daughter, a bond so strong

In joy and in sorrow, together they'd belong

In 2000, with selfless grace

She moved to Albuquerque, to Linda's embrace

Nursing Linda back to health with care

Dorothy's strength, beyond compare

Always positive, even when times were tough

Happy with her lot, never needing more stuff

People loved her for her kindness true

Her spirit shone in all she'd do

An optimist through thick and thin

With quiet strength, she found within

In times of stress, she stood so tall

A reservoir of calm for one and all

Self-reliance was her creed

To lift oneself in times of need

In age and youth, her thoughts did turn

To others first, with love's concern

With a love for music, life's finer things she embraced

Playing Moonlight Sonata, Chopin's Nocturnes with grace

A voracious reader, her thirst for knowledge never waned

Her spirit bright, her joy for life always remained

On her hundredth birthday, honored as a hero dear

Milltown celebrated her, with pride and cheer

Her WAVE uniform restored, a testament to days of yore

A Living Legend she was proclaimed, her legacy forever to endure

Dorothy Jensen Blanchard, a life so richly led

With kindness, strength, and love, in every word she said

A shining example of the American ideal

Her story, her spirit, forever we'll feel.