A bright and beautiful light has been extinguished. Kai Blanchard died unexpectedly on November 15, 2021 in Virginia Beach, VA where she had gone two weeks earlier to visit childhood friends.
Kai was born in Tallinn, Estonia on June 17, 1944 to Juulie and Juhan Hennoste. Juhan was a newspaperman and member of the Estonian resistance. He knew he would be in danger when the Russians gained control of the country in the waning days of World
War II. In September 1945, he packed up his family and they fled on the last ship out of Tallinn. They spent the next five years in a Displaced Persons camp in Augsburg, Germany.
The Hennostes finally were able to come to the United States in 1950, and lived in Medford, Massachusetts until 1963. Kai’s father died soon after they arrived and her mother was left with three young children to raise in a new country where she spoke very little English.
Growing up in Medford, Kai made fast friends with Joan, Marilyn and Anna. They called themselves the Fab Four. The girls lost touch when the Hennostes moved to Ventura, CA where Juulie had family.
Kai had two children, Joe and Kristi, with Joe Asebedo. Then Kai met John Blanchard and it was love at first sight. They were married on Thanksgiving 1969. In addition to their son, Jason, they have a beautiful blended family that includes Joe, Kristi, and Jennifer and Heather, John's daughter's from his previous marriage.
Meanwhile, Joan Incardone was able to reconnect with Kai, and after a separation of 50 years, the Fab Four were reunited. The trip to Virginia Beach was the fourth reunion of the friends. Kai flew back on October 31st. She was hospitalized two days later with a blood clot in her lungs caused by the long plane flight. Tragically, the clot led to many other complications that proved too much for her valiant heart.
Kai was a wonderful friend, sister, wife and mother. She leaves her loving husband, John, of Camarillo CA, children Joe Asebedo (DeAnna), Pensacola, FLA, Kristi Learn (Jeff), San Diego, CA, Jason Blanchard, Ventura, CA, Jennifer Billow (Greg), Park City, UT, Heather Domengeaux, Sonoma, CA, and eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, brother, Peter Hennoste and sister, Hilja Hennoste.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 N. 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060.
Kai was beautiful and she lit up every room she entered. Although that light now is gone, it will continue to glow in the hearts of her family and many friends. A celebration of her life will take place in the New Year when far-flung family and friends will be able to gather. Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ventura.