Patricia (Blanche) Kuwada

In Loving Memory of Patricia Blanche Kuwada
June 8, 1940 – October 30, 2025

It is with great love and sadness that the family of Patricia (Blanche) Kuwada shares her passing after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She died peacefully at home at the age of 85 with family at her bedside.

Blanche was raised on a farm in Manitoba, Canada. Her love for horses and the prairies remained forever in her heart. The harsh winters and rugged life of the farm helped forge Blanche’s grit and appreciation for the simpler side of life. After graduating from the University of Manitoba, she met Shigeyuki (Shig) Kuwada. Soon after they married and moved to San Diego, CA and eventually settled in West Hartford, CT, where they raised their 3 boys.

Blanche was a selfless and devoted mother. When the boys were young, every summer Blanche would pack their van and head north to the farm in Canada. The trip itself was part of the adventure: camping at KOA campgrounds, exploring the open road, and dodging summer storms. Those journeys were one of many cherished memories the boys had with their mother. Blanche’s world revolved around her children and, later, her grandchildren. She never missed an event, big or small, near or far, cheering on grandchildren at a hockey rink, baseball field or dance recital.

Her home was always open—not just to her sons but to all their friends, who spent countless hours enjoying her warmth, hospitality, and cooking. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. Her house was the kind of place people wanted to linger—a place filled with laughter, good food, and a sense of belonging.

After her children were grown, she returned to the workforce, stepping into the world of information technology. What began as an intimidating change became a source of pride and joy. She became both a mentor and a mother figure to many of her colleagues, working into her early 80s and earning their admiration for her intelligence, work ethic and wisdom.

She found deep joy in life’s everyday rhythms—especially in the company of her beloved golden retrievers, who were her constant companions through the years. Every morning, she could be found on Rockledge golf course with her dogs, rain or shine, greeting neighbors and savoring the peaceful start to the day. She lived her faith through quiet Christian actions—by treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect. She said she preferred to “live her religion” rather than speak it.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Timothy Hong and the Hartford Hospital Oncology team for their extraordinary care and compassion throughout her illness. They also extend sincere gratitude to Blanche’s friends who surrounded her with love, kindness, and companionship during the most difficult months—your presence brought her great comfort and peace.

A celebration of Blanche’s life will be held at Rockledge Grille, 289 S. Main St, W.Hartford on Friday, November 21 from 4 - 7pm. Pictures and remembrances of Blanche can posted to Legacy.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Connecticut Cancer Foundation or the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Blanche was preceded in death by her husband of nearly fifty years, Shig Kuwada. She is survived by her sons Tim, Jud and Casey, daughter-in-laws, Rachel and Karen and grandchildren, Maddie, Stella, Lucy, Tyler, Caden, Leah, Peyton and Tucker. Her family will forever carry with them her example of love, humility, and strength.

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