Verda Norma (Blanchard) Wilson

Verda N. Wilson Athol – Verda Norma (Blanchard) Wilson, 91, of 739 Daniel Shays Highway, died December 15, 2014 at the UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus.       Verda was born in Athol, MA, February 19, 1923, the daughter of Alphonse and Flora (Mallette) Blanchard.  She lived in Athol all of her life, graduating from Athol High School in 1940.         She worked at the L.S. Starrett Company and the Athol Memorial Hospital for many years.  Verda was a lifelong member of Our Lady Immaculate Church.  She enjoyed going to aerobics at the YMCA, flower gardening and playing bridge, was an avid reader and a talented artist.   Verda was from a family of eight and always shared a close relationship with her brothers and sisters.  She was so proud of her children and the lives they lead.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.         Her husband of 53 years, Richard E. Wilson died in 2002.  She leaves her children, Kathleen Homon and her husband John of Friendship, ME, Rick Wilson and his wife Leslie of Purcellville, VA and Joan Connors and her husband Michael of Uxbridge, MA; four grandchildren, McKenzie, Andrea, Christopher and Molly and two great grandchildren, Andrew and Tyson.  She also leaves two brothers, Lawrence Blanchard of Athol and Roger Blanchard of East Pepperell, MA; two sisters, Janis Lefebre of Athol and Nancy Blanchard of Orange and several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by a brother, Howard Blanchard and two sisters, Sister Mary Matthew Blanchard and Sister Mary Joan Blanchard.       A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol.  Burial will follow at Silver Lake Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Friday, December 19th from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions may be made in Verda’s name to The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545.  For further information or to share a memory with the family, go to:  www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com.   $(document).ready(function(){ });