Vascar Elaine Blackwell's Obituary
Vascar “Elaine” Blackwell of Baltimore, MD, died on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at Autumn Lake Healthcare at Spa Creek in Annapolis, MD. She was 84. She was born on October 31, 1937 in Campbell County, Va. At the age of 5, Elaine and her family moved to Turner’s Station in Baltimore County, MD. She attended primary and secondary school in the area; graduating from Sollers Point High School in 1956. She went on to attend Hampton (Institute) University, but transferred to and graduated from Morgan State (College) University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. In 1964 she married William E. Blackwell, Jr. and together they had 2 children, Delton Blackwell and Erika Terry (neé Blackwell). The marriage ended in divorced in 1975.
Upon graduation she began working at John Hopkins University Medical School’s Anatomy Department, where she conducted cancer research using the kidneys of frogs. Ironically, using Henrietta Lack’s (fellow Turner’s Station residence) cervical cancer cells to conduct her research. In 1966, after the birth of her son, Elaine was employed at Baltimore City Hospital as a Blood Bank Technologist and conducted Immunology studies for clinical blood transfusions. From 1968 to 1972, she moved on to become the Assistant Supervisor Technologist in the Blood Processing Lab of the American Red Cross, Baltimore. She was the first to separate human blood components (platelet concentrate and frozen plasma) and she wrote protocol for one of the first Autoanalyzers for Human Blood Typing and Grouping. After an extended maternity leave in 1974, she went back to Baltimore City Hospital (eventually John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center) as a Certified Blood Bank Technologist, through the American Society of Clinical Pathologist, where she worked until retirement in 1999. She also worked part-time in the Harbor Hospital Blood Bank from 1990 to 1999.
Elaine was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother to her two children and five grandchildren. She was sharp witted, had a wicked dry sense of humor and hardly ever met a steamed crab she didn’t like. She loved a good gathering and story-telling with friends and family, often roping them into assisting her with her community projects and charitable ideas. Elaine did not play when it came to education, a lifetime learner herself (Computer Languages and Floral Design); she prided herself on making sure her grandkids, neighborhood kids and anyone in need had their yearly school supplies. If she had to pave the path to a high school and college graduation with one sheet of notebook paper at a time, she would. Forever the good listener and progressive advice giver, her absence will be felt by many for years to come.
She is survived by her son Delton (wife-Cherolynn Blackwell); daughter Erika (husband-Derrick Terry); grandchildren: Joseph Blackwell, Jeneva Blackwell, Jessica Blackwell, Morgan Blackwell and Dallas Terry. Nieces: Yvonne (Hancock) Rice, Randi (Hancock) Bailey, Anita (Hancock) Green. Nephews: Lorenzo Rouff, Ronald Hamlette, Sr., Jerone Hancock, Jr., Wayne Hancock, Michael Hancock & Jonathan D. Hancock as well as a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on July 31, 2022 at Lasting Tributes Cremation and Funeral Care in Annapolis, MD. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made in Vascar Elaine (Hancock) Blackwell’s name to the Morgan State University Biology Department via the institution’s website or via mail.
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