2024 -- S 3161

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LC006276

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF EDITH LITTLEFIELD BLANE

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, and DiMario

     Date Introduced: June 12, 2024

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Edith

Littlefield Blane, the beloved wife of the late Edward Blane, and the cherished mother of

Christopher Blane, her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Blane, and the late Peter Blane, she was also the

adored grandmother of Melanie Wilk, and great-grandmother of Luke Wilk, as well as the aunt of

many nieces and nephews; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Blane, known as “Edie” by her family and many friends, was born in

South Norwalk, Connecticut, and grew up on Block Island with a “childhood rich in family and

community.” She was the daughter of the late Byron and Jeanette Littlefield, and the sister of the

late Eileen and Betty. She had made her home in the house that had been in her father’s mother’s

family for generations; and

     WHEREAS, A woman of remarkable talent and longevity, Mrs. Blane had been the first

woman elected First Warden on Block Island, and had previously served for sixteen years as the

Town Clerk. She had also worked as a school secretary, a telephone switchboard operator,

publisher of the Block Island Hooter, ran a business with her sister, Eileen, wallpapering,

painting, and quahogging, and had started the real estate company, Offshore Property, from

which she retired at the age of 85; and

     WHEREAS, Not one to remain idle, Mrs. Blane became a noted raconteur and gifted

writer, penning a book of memoirs after her retirement that was entitled “Bound By Blue” from

which she also produced a documentary that was featured at the 2023 Block Island Film Festival

in tribute to her remarkable life. The documentary also won the New England Documentary

Feature at the SENE Film Festival in 2022; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Mrs. Blane was devoted to her faith and had been the

longest standing member of the Harbor Church. Her dedication to the community had also

earned her the title of Grand Marshal of the July 4th parade; and

     WHEREAS, Edie loved nature, her dogs, her flowers, her friends, and her family —

especially her great-grandson Luke Wilk. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-

grandmother, friend, mentor, businesswoman, and civic leader whose life was filled with

adventure and fully enjoyed, and she is dearly missed; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby extends deepest

sympathy on the passing of Edith Littlefield Blane; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Christopher Blane and Family.

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LC006276

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