Gail M. Blanchard

WESTMINSTER- Gail M. (White) Blanchard, 76, of Westminster, MA, passed on December 30, 2016. She was born in Athol on October 3, 1940 to the late Robert and Estelle (Noel) White. She graduated from Athol High School in 1958, affectionately nicknamed "Sparkplug". After graduating from Henry Heywood School of Nursing in 1961, she worked for over 50 years as a Registered Nurse including Athol Memorial Hospital and the practices of John Raughtigan MD, James Faust MD, and Cornerstone Family Practice. She is the mother of Jeffrey, Tracy, Ben, and Trent Blanchard, and like a mother to Carol Blanchard Duguay. She is "Memae" to Noelle, Demerese, and Jaddus Blanchard and sister to Carole Landry, Jacqueline Paluilis, and the late Bobby White. She also leaves the daughters of her partner, the late John Howard, Sherri and Beth, and their children. Throughout her life, Gail was active in the community as a den mother, teacher of religious education, President of the Holy Family Guild, Treasurer of the Democratic Committee and for decades performed in the Minstrel Shows for the local YMCA. Gail loved computer video games, bingo, summers at the beach, flea markets and her patients. She held special adoration for the Blessed Mother Mary, and was a devout fan of the Red Sox and Patriots. A wake will be held at Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd. Orange, MA on Friday, January 6, 2017 from 5-7 p.m.. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St. Athol, MA on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 10 a.m., followed by burial at Gethsemane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pancreatic Alliance Gift Fund, c/o UMASS Development Office, 333 South St, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or VNA Care Hospice 199 Rosewood Dr. Suite 180, Danvers, MA 01923 (online at www.vnacarenetwork.org). To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road is directing arrangements.