Blanche (Dominguez) Heitkamp
Mom left us on Nov. 13, 2024, her love of family, friends and new adventures leaves us with many joyful stories and fond memories which we will cherish. Mom, we miss you and love you forever.
Blanche Margaret Heitkamp was born May 8, 1934, in Los Angeles, California to Guadalupe and Francisco Dominguez. After graduating from Garfield High School, a year at East LA City College led her to the love of her life Douglas Oakley Heitkamp. They married June 1957 with a honeymoon in Santa Barbara, moving to El Segundo to raise their three children Douglas Jr., Heidi and Frank.
Mom was very active in the El Segundo community. She felt strongly about giving back and served several terms as president of the El Segundo Women’s Club and as president of the Parent Teacher Association. She volunteered at the library, at community events and was active with her church. Devoted in her faith, she had a lifelong commitment to bible study and fellowship.
Mom never met a stranger, only future friends. She had a gift for conversation, making and maintaining life-long friendships. Gifted at handwork, she loved her knitting groups, likely more for the friendships than for the knitting. She loved daily walks around El Segundo and the strand of El Porto Beach, always with friends and always extending invitations for coffee and a cookie.
Mom had an innate inquisitive nature which she fed through her connection with people, travel, and as an avid reader. Most importantly, she had address books full of dear friends, always just a phone call away.
Though raised a city girl, Mom enjoyed the camping adventures Dad planned, sparking a love for the outdoors in her kids. Once the kids were out of the house Doug and Blanche traveled in their motor-home including; a three-month journey circumnavigating Mexico; frequently crisscrossing the USA, and on several trips to Alaska.
What they loved most were the road trips to visit Doug Jr. and family in Colorado; Frank and family in Massachusetts and Heidi and family in California.
After Dad’s passing in 2014, Mom and Heidi traveled to Spain and enjoyed a Rhine River Cruise — both were dream trips she and Dad were never able to take together.
In 2019 Mom relocated to Santa Barbara, the place of her honeymoon and near the home of Heidi and family and quickly immersed herself in life at the Samarkand Covenant community, making new friends, joining a prayer group and a knitting circle, volunteering in the gift shop, library and service groups, just as she had done all her life. She found a new church community and was very grateful for all the new friendships she made.
She loved living near the ocean and mountains, always up for a picnic or hike. We all felt lucky to have her living close to family.
Blanche is survived by son Frank (Karen) Heitkamp; daughter Heidi Heitkamp (Andreas Hampp); daughter-in-law Michelle Harrison; eight grandchildren; Emily (Alex) Kinney, Andrew (Patricia) Heitkamp, Nick Heitkamp, Oliver (Shannon) Heitkamp, Erin Heitkamp, Isabel Heitkamp, Luke Heitkamp, Sophia Hampp (Agustin) Gaspardis, Franz Hampp; and four great-grandchildren; Colton, Owen, Douglas III and Caroline.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years Douglas Oakley Heitkamp (2014); son Doug, Jr. (2023); grandson Nick (2007); brother Frank Dominguez; and sister Norma Tripodi.
Memorial service will be held Jan. 11 at El Montecito Presbyterian Church, Montecito, CA.