Claire E. Blanchard

   Claire E. Blanchard, 94, passed away on October 3, 2022, after a short stay at Mt. Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Manchester.

   Born in Dover, Claire was the daughter of Charles and Eva (Bousquet) Robitaille. She was raised in Manchester with her four siblings. After graduating from the Villa Augustina Academy in Goffstown, she received her B.A. degree from Rivier College in Nashua and a M.A. from Middlebury College in Vermont.

   Claire was a language teacher in several New Hampshire high schools, including Manchester West, Manchester Central and Manchester Memorial where she was Language Department Chairperson when the school opened in 1960. Her over 30 years in education also included lecturing at the University of New Hampshire and a couple years as an adjunct professor.

   Claire was married almost 60 years to her husband, Roland, who predeceased her last year.     

   Family members include three sons, Martin Blanchard and Jerome Blanchard and his wife, Jacqueline, all of Manchester and Joel Blanchard of Murrieta, CA; grandchildren, Chantal, Simone and Gabrielle all of Manchester, Nicholas and Alexander of California, Tucker of Northwood, Bailey of Lebanon and Erin of Strafford; numerous cousins and several nieces and nephews.

   She was predeceased by a sister, Judith Parent and three brothers, Claude, Yvan and Bertrand Robitaille.

   She was a communicant of St. Joseph Cathedral and the former St. George Parish where she had served many years as a Eucharistic Minister.

   Claire will be cherished and missed by everyone who knew her.

   SERVICES:  Calling hours are Thursday (10/6) from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday (10/7) at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral Chapel, 145 Lowell St., Manchester.  Committal prayers will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester.