Blanche Ladenson Singer

Daughter of Eda Rattner Ladenson and Aaron Ladenson, Blanche grew up in Chicago, Illinois.  Her parents and their families escaped separately from Kiev in the early 1900’s and settled in Chicago. Blanche grew up surrounded by a close extended family. They didn't have a lot of money but had love and integrity.  She went to Senn High School and graduated from the University of Illinois- Champaign, Urbana in French and Psychology.  While in college, she met Marcus Singer, newly out of the Army Air Force after WWII.  They married in Chicago on August 10, 1947 and started their married life in Champaign-Urbana while Mark completed his undergraduate degree in Philosophy. They later moved to Ithaca, NY for Mark to do his PhD work in Ethics at Cornell. 

They moved to Madison in 1952 when Marcus started teaching at the Univ. of Wisconsin.  Blanche later earned a Masters in Library Science at UW and worked for many years as a Medical Librarian at UW. 

In some ways a shy and quite person, Blanche had strong convictions and opinions and grew more vocal about them as she aged.  Always a strong supporter of women’s and human rights, environmental causes and progressive politics, she donated to many organizations.  

Blanche is survived by her beloved daughters Karen and Debra Singer;  her grandson, Isaac Adlowitz; and her sister, Diane Ladenson.  A memorial in Madison will follow later this fall.
The family wants to express their deep appreciation to great people in Senior Helpers and at Capitol Lakes, who cared for her in her last years with kindness and deep attention.