Gladys V. (Gates) Blanchard

Gladys V. Blanchard Athol – Gladys V. (Gates) Blanchard, 84, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, surrounded by her loving family.      Gladys was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts on September 14, 1929, the daughter of Franklin J. Gates and Rozilda (Champagne) Radzius.  She grew up and has lived in Athol all of her life, graduating from Athol High School in 1947.        Gladys worked at the L.S. Starrett Company for 17 years until her retirement.   She had previously worked at the former Fox Run Restaurant in Phillipston for 30 years.  She was a member of the Athol-Orange Baptist Church where she was involved in the “Shoe Box Ministry,” The Living Last Supper, and also blessed many new mothers at the church with handmade baby quilts crafted with love. Her love for the Lord was apparent to all who met her.  She enjoyed sewing, knitting, quilting, crafts and building and furnishing miniature doll houses.  Her greatest joys were cooking and baking for others and especially spending time with her family.      She leaves six children, Gerald J. Blanchard, Jr. and his wife Vicki of Chelmsford, Chris Ann Brault and her husband Rick of Athol, Bruce M. Blanchard and his wife Lisa of Gardner, Paul R. Blanchard and his wife Dianne of Athol, Lianne M. Tourigny and her husband Tom of Athol and Brian D. Blanchard and his wife Song of The Plains, VA; 11 grandchildren, Adreanna, Amanda, Jeremy, Jeffrey, Amy, Joshua, Keith, Kyle, Nicole, Aaron and Jennifer.  She also leaves her great grandchildren, Cody, Elizabeth, Alex, Mallory, Rosalyn and Nicholas; a brother Alfred Radzius of NV; two sisters, Judy Chaisson of Ludlow and Pauline Roberts of Chicopee and many nieces and nephews and her former daughter-in-law, Lori Blanchard.  She was predeceased by two brothers, Paul Gates and Raymond Radzius and a sister, Helen Gates Painter, and Gerald J. Blanchard.      A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at the Athol-Orange Baptist Church, Corner of Church and Walnut Street, Athol, with the Rev. Mark D. Bariloni, pastor officiating.  There are no calling hours and a burial will be held in Highland Cemetery at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Gideon’s International, Franklin County Camp, P.O. Box 973, Greenfield, MA  01302 (www.gideons.org/sendtheword)  Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol is directing arrangements.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });