Obituary of Lorraine B Blanchet

Lorraine B. Blanchet, of Nashua, NH, formerly of Burlington and Cambridge, MA passed away peacefully at home on Thursday night, May 9, 2024.  She was 87 years old.  Lorraine was born in Boston.  She grew up in the Cambridge area and was a graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School.  She later went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Bentley College.  She worked as an accountant until she retired.

Lorraine’s life revolved around her family.  Her family resided in Cambridge until her parents bought their house in Burlington in 1955. She shared the home with her parents until her father’s passing in 1979, then co-managed the household with her mother. She and her mother enjoyed a quiet life that included weekly bingo and spending time with her sister, Irene and her nieces and nephew.  When her niece Laura moved in with them, the house became a little less quiet. After her mother passed away in 1988, Lorraine shared the home intermittently with her niece and nephew until Irene eventually moved in with her.  Their routine included bingo, shopping, eating out, road trips and babysitting Irene’s grandchildren. When the two stopped driving, they utilized the “B-Line” bus service to go shopping, run errands, visit the BCOA, and go out for dinners and lunches. When she and Irene sold their family home, she joined Laura and her family’s household in Nashua, NH. She held a special place in the hearts of her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.  She was simply called “Auntie” by all of them and their friends as well.  She was deeply involved in all their lives, always present at their celebrations and special events, and cherished every moment she shared with them. 

Lorraine was an avid reader who enjoyed all genres of literature. She always had a craft at hand and gifted many homemade items to her family, most notably hand-hooked rugs and jewelry. She enjoyed doing word puzzles and other games on her computer.  Lorraine was quiet and kind, appreciated the littlest gestures and was never rude, had a delightful sense of humor and bit of a dry wit.  Though she was not blessed with children of her own, her nieces and nephews more than filled that void.  Lorraine was never alone, always loved, and will be forever remembered by all those who loved her. 

Lorraine was the loving daughter of Joseph Blanchet and Beatrice (LeBlanc) Blanchet.  She was the loving sister and best friend to Irene Coville of Oneida, Kentucky, formerly of Burlington, MA.  She was the caring “Auntie” of Laura Melanson and her husband Mark of Nashua, NH, John Anthony & his wife Sheri of Berlin, NH, and Julianne Tompkins of Oneida, KY.  She was the great aunt of Shayla Melanson and Ashlee Melanson of Nashua NH, Brenden Anthony, Dustin Anthony, Amanda Powers, and Charlotte Anthony all of Berlin, NH, and Scott Tompkins of Flowery Branch, GA. 

A visiting hour will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington MA on Saturday, May 18^th from 10-11am.  A service at the funeral home will begin at 11am and services will conclude with an interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. 

Memorials in Lorraine’s name may be made to People Helping People, www.peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org, P.O. Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803.