Glenda Charlene Blackshaw

Glenda Charlene Blackshaw

24 April 1935 – 20 July 2025

Glenda Charlene Blackshaw, passed, 20 July 2025, after a courageous fight against cancer. Glenda was born on 24 April 1935 in Glendale Ca, to Glenn and Charlotte Chapman. Glenda was older sister to Gordon. Glenda grew up in Glendale and went through the local school system. Glenda then attended UC Santa Barbara, where she met and married George Blackshaw. After Glenda graduated, she took a teaching position at Templeton High School, in Templeton CA. After George graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, they moved to China lake Naval Ordnance Test Station in 1956. It was at this time Glenda took a teaching position with the Ridgecrest Unified School District, as a teacher at Groves Elementary School. It was also at this time that Glenda became a member of St Micheal's Episcopal Church where she was a member of the church choir. In 1964 Glenda and George adopted their 1st son, Brian. In 1966 they adopted their 2nd son, Micheal. In 1967 the family then relocated to Granada Hills CA. In 1968 Glenda and George then adopted their daughter, Jennifer. In 1972, Glenda and the kids returned to Ridgecrest. As at the time of the relocation, there were no teaching positions available, so Glenda took a position as a librarian at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake Library. In 1973 Glenda took a position with Sierra Sands Unified School District where she worked as a teacher at James Monroe Jr High School. While at James Monroe she played on the teacher's softball team, “The Green Machines”, and played 1st base as well as being the cleanup batter for the team. Over the years Glenda also taught at las Floras, Richmond, Vieweg, Pierce, and Ridgecrest Heights elementary schools. Glenda then returned to Groves where she stayed until 1992, when she transferred to Gateway Elementary School. Glenda continued teaching at Gateway until she retired from teaching full time in 1997. After retiring Glenda continued teaching as a substitute teacher with Sierra Sands Unified School District until 2010. Glenda was proud and deeply touched that many of her former students not only requested her to be a teacher for their children, but also their grandchildren. For many years after retiring Glenda continued her passion of teaching as a private piano teacher, introducing new generations to the world of music until 2024. Throughout her life, Glenda was involved with many groups in Ridgecrest. She was the music director at St Micheal’s Episcopal Church until 2014. She was the music director at Christ the King Anglican Church until 2021. Glenda was a member of the Desert Community Orchestra for over 50 years, where she was 1st chair playing the viola. Other groups Glenda was involved with were Habit for Humanity, Delta Kappa Gamma, Tech Trek, and the High Desert Music Teacher Association and many other groups. Glenda was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Charlotte, ex-husband George, son Micheal, grandson Micheal-John, and her brother Gordon Chapman. Glenda is survived by her son Brian (Dana), daughter Jennifer. Grandchildren Jessica (Daniel), Breanne (Mike), Nikkole, Brittney, C.J (Erika), and Sharaya (Julia). Great grandchildren Liam, Aiden, Jonalee, Daniel, Brooke, Adelina, and Adonis. Sister-in-law Mary Chapman, and numerous nieces and nephews. Glenda is also survived by her extended family Greg Richardson, Lisa Collins-Durrant, Robyn Stoll, and Regina Serrano, also her Christ the King Anglican Church family.

Funeral services are pending.

The Blackshaw Family.