Blanche Marie Chavers

Blanche Marie Chavers was born on August 2nd, 1949 in Clarksdale Mississippi. She was the firstborn daughter of parents Andrew and Mildred Chavers. To this union, two more children were born: Linda Joyce (died shortly after birth) and Edith. From the moment Blanche entered this world, she was loved, not just by her parents, but by her youngest sister, Edith, her Grandparents, and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. When she started attending Public School, it wasn't long before her teachers, classmates, and her community would grow to love her as well. Blanche was an A student throughout her school years and showed a great passion for reading and science at an early age. She also actively participated in school activities like choir, civic clubs, and marching band, where she was a majorette. Blanche accepted Christ and joined Mount Zion AME Zion Church at an early age. She attended church regularly and served in different capacities until she left Clarksdale. She loved learning about the bible and became steeped in her Christian values which aligned perfectly with her family values. By the time Blanche graduated from Higgins High School, she had decided that the best way to live out her values was to devote the rest of her life to helping people and saving lives. And that's exactly what she did. Blanche moved to Seattle to pursue a career as a medical doctor. She spent 4 years earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. Then 4 more years completing medical school. Then 3 years after that completing her Internship and Residency Program at the University of Washington (UW) and its associated Seattle hospitals. At that point, Blanche decided she wanted to do more than simply treat sick patients. She wanted to research the root causes of illnesses so that doctors could use the knowledge to help sick people all over the world. So she began working at the University of Minnesota, one of the most respected medical research centers in the country. She became a Pediatric Nephrologist and dedicated the rest of her career to saving lives by treating children with kidney disease. Over the years, she would go on to become the Clinical Research Medical Director of UofM's Department of Pediatrics. She would also receive numerous awards, being named by the medical community as an "Outstanding Mentor," one of the "Top Doctors" in Minnesota, one of the "Best Doctors in America," a recipient of the ASPN Founders' Award, and many other accolades. In 1981, she met Gubare Mpambara, the man who would become her husband and soulmate for the rest of her life. In 1983, they gave birth to a son, Kaita Mpambara, who feels "blessed to have been raised by the best mother any son could ever have." Blanche departed this life on June 13, 2026. And anyone who knew her would agree: The impact of her life was too great to be captured in a single document. But she will be lovingly remembered by her mother, Mildred Chavers of Clarksdale, Mississippi; her husband, Gubare Mpambara of Bloomington, Minnesota; son, Kaita Mpambara of Bloomington, Minnesota; sister, Edith Chavers (Leonard) Elion of Seattle, Washington; and a host of Cousins around the country. She will also be remembered by friends, colleagues, neighbors, and every patient whose life she saved. And she has now gone on to join her father, Andrew Chavers, grandmothers, Blanche Stacks and Beulah Willis, and all the other ancestors who will welcome her to the hereafter. Visitation from 11 AM to 12 noon with the funeral service at 12 noon at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 West 50th Street & Highway 100, Edina, MN. Interment at Lakewood Cemetery, Mineapolis, MN.

Blanche Marie Chavers

August 2, 1949 - June 13, 2026

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