Leola M. Blanchard

ATHOL-Leola M. (Guignard) Blanchard, 81, of 317 Brooks Road, died Thursday, February 20, 2003 in Athol Memorial Hospital, after an illness. She leaves her husband of 57 years, Robert M. Blanchard, Sr.; three daughters, Jean M. Kucinskas and her husband John of Uxbridge, MA; Jane A. Vaitkunas and her husband, John of Concord, NH; and Judy L. Tobin of Jamison, Pennsylvania; a son, Robert B. Blanchard, Jr. and his wife Peggy of Ashburnham, MA; six grandchildren: Jessica Kucinskas, Jenna Kucinskas, Katrina Vaitkunas, Samantha Vaitkunas, Robby Blanchard, and Kelsey Blanchard; and many nieces and nephews. A grandson, Keith Kucinskas, predeceased her. She was born in Shippegan, New Brunswick, Canada, January 1, 1922, a daughter of Michael and Artemiese (Arsenault) Guignard, and came to Athol as an infant. She has been a lifelong resident of town, and graduated from Athol High School with the class of 1940. Mrs. Blanchard was the head teller at the former First National Bank of Athol for many years, retiring in 1984. Previously, she was employed at Moskovitz Women's Store. She was a member of Our Lady Immaculate Church and its former Catholic Women's League, and was a member and past president of the Edward H. Phillips Post 102, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary in 1962. She enjoyed cooking and knitting. The funeral will be held Monday, Feb. 24, 2003 from the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main Street, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street. Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Our Lady Immaculate Church Building Fund, 192 School Street, Athol, 01331; or to Athol Memorial Hospital, 2033 Main Street, Athol, 01331. To sign the online guestbook, visit the funeral home website at www.murphysfuneralhome.com $(document).ready(function(){ });