Obituary
Blythe Van de Ven, SAN DIEGO

SAN DIEGO FEBRUARY 2026

Blythe Van de Ven

January 13.1933 – February 3, 2026

Blythe Van de Ven, nee Burroughs Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA After 93 trips around the sun, Blythe's journey ended on February 3rd, 2026.  She was the loving wife of John Van de Ven, her constant companion for the past 75 years.  A dedicated student, Blythe graduated from Austin High School in Chicago, attended the University of Illinois , Champaign IL, and San Diego State University.   Blythe's working years took place in her pre- and post-parenting times.  Before getting married, she worked at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago and later traveled with John on his five year Navy enlistment.  As a Navy wife, she worked at Union Planters Bank in Memphis, Veterans Hospital in Washington D.C., and Veterans Hospital in Chicago.  To Blythe, her most rewarding work was as an instructional aide for the visually impaired at the San Diego Unified School District, a position she held for 14 years. She will be sorely missed by John and her larger family including her two adult children, Ellyn Gaich (Nick), David (Alexandra), two adult grandchildren Nicole Gaich and Justin Gaich (Nyssa) and three young great grandchildren Lennox Gaich, Raleigh Gaich, and T.J. Gaich; Her lively and sparkling presence will be also missed by her friends at Pioneer Oceanview United Church of Christ in Bay Park, the Wesley Palms Retirement Community in Pacific Beach, and those still living in the Bay Park neighborhood she called home for over six decades.