John Blythe's wife

Mrs. Blythe was mother of Gilbert Blythe and wife of John Blythe.

Early life
She was born probably in late 1820s in unknown village, possible in Avonlea. In late 1850s she met John Blythe and fell in love with him. They were married probably in early 1860s. It is possible that they were married earlier and couldn't have baby after the wedding.

Marriage with John Blythe
In 1862 she gave birth to her only son and named him Gilbert. They lived along in Avonlea, where John owned a farm. Mrs. Blythe was so fond of cats.

"Inconsequently she remembered that Mrs. John Blythe was so fond of cats that she kept as many as her husband would allow."

- Anne of the Island, Chapter 36

Nine years later John was ill and went to Atlanta with little Gilbert and probably with Mrs. Blythe. They returned back to Avonlea in summer 1876.

Later life
Mrs. Blythe was very happy when Gilbert and Anne Shirley were engaged. She and John were invited for their wedding at Green Gables in September 1890. She often visited them in their House of Dreams in Four Winds and later in Ingleside, Glen St. Mary. During her visit in 1895, Blythe twins Nan and Di were born. Nan inherited her brown hair and nut-brown eyes.

She died in 1898 and was buried at Avonlea graveyard. John was devastated after her death. He died one year later and was buried next to her.

Behind the scenes

 * Hazel Bainbridge portrayed Mrs. Blythe in 1975 TV series Anne of Avonlea.
 * Nan didn't look like her twin Diana – instead she looks like her grandmother, with brown hair and nut-brown eyes.
 * Mrs. Blythe never met two of her granddaughters, Joyce and Rilla. Joyce died the same day she was born and Rilla was born year after Mrs. Blythe's death.

Book appearance

 * Anne of the Island
 * Anne's House of Dreams
 * Anne of Ingleside (mentioned only)

Film appearance

 * Anne of Avonlea (1975)