Mary Blanche Smith was born in upper New York State on March 7, 1920, to Reverend and Mrs. James Smith. She was raised in rural Saskatchewan along with her siblings Maye, Edna, Evelyn and Earl.

She attended Brockville Bible College, Brockville, Ontario, where she met her future husband, Reverend Arthur James Slater. After their marriage in 1944, they moved to Malone, New York, where both of their children Arlene and Wesley were born. They served the ministry there until 1948 when they returned to Ontario.

Reverend Slater eventually became the Superintendent for the Standard Holiness Church. Blanche was a great support to him during the transition to the Free Methodist Church, where they both served for many years until his retirement.

Blanche also cared for her husband during his later years and then survived him for over 20 years, until her death on Mother’s Day, May 2012. She remained active in the Church after moving to Grimsby in the early 1990’s to be closer to her family. She enjoyed over 17 years wintering in Florida at Light and Life Park in Lakeland, Florida, with many friends from the church. Their summers were always spent at Wesley Acres, Bloomfield, Ontario with family and friends.

Throughout their ministry, they looked forward to Conference time every year and continued to attend even after their retirement. She will always be remembered for her amazing enjoyment of all life had to offer, and her love and dedication to Christ.

Blanche and Arthur are interred together at Hicksite Cemetery, Bloomfield, Ontario. Inscription on their tombstone reads “Because I Live, Ye Shall Live Also Jn 14:19”