Wanda BlakeWanda Blake, 89, of Mount Arlington, NJ passed away on October 9, 2017 in Morristown, NJ surrounded by her family. It was her beloved late husband's birthday. Wanda was born on August 1, 1928 in Port Chester, NY to the late John and Joanna Slowinski. She lived in River Edge, NJ before moving to Mount Arlington 35 years ago. Wanda's main passion in life was art. She was an acclaimed artist, beginning her career in fashion illustration. She was an art teacher at Saint Peter the Apostle school and later was an art teacher at duCRET School of Arts in Plainfield, NJ. Wanda was a member of several art clubs including the Rio Grande Artists Association in New Mexico. In later years, she was drawn to New Mexico, and was inspired by its landscape and colors. Being there also gave her an opportunity to be closer to her family, which became increasingly more important as the family grew.Wanda served on the Board of the Visiting Nurse Association, and was recently awarded the Anna B. Hillock Community Service Award by the VNA. She was extremely proud of her participation with the VNA, as well as her involvement in her late husband's Richard F. Blake Children's Center in Cedar Knolls, NJ. where she and Dick relished in their ability to impact the development and nurturing of young children. Wanda was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend to many. She is survived by her three loving children, Cynthia Kolson (Doug Cohen), Juliet Hawley, Art Wright (Suzanne McAvoy and her son Shay); four cherished grandchildren, Daniel, Mathew, Logan, and Natalie; great-grandmother to Madeline, Jackson, Josiah, and Grayson; and by her sister Mary Gray and her family, all of whom Wanda was particularly close to. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Richard F. Blake in 2014.Wanda's Life Celebration will include a visitation from 6PM-8PM on Friday, October 13, 2017 at the William J. Leber Funeral Home, 15 Furnace Road (Corner of Rt. 206), Chester, NJ (908) 879-3090. A 10:30AM funeral service will be held on Saturday October 14, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church, 99 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ 07876. Interment will follow at the First Presbyterian Cemetery in Succasunna, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Richard F. Blake Children's Center, 65 Horsehill Road, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927 or the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) 175 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960.For online condolences and information visit www.leber funeralhome.com.