Irene Blanchard Demars passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at the Judith Brogren Memory Care Center at Cedar Hill, Windsor, VT, after a period of declining health.
She was born on February 18, 1928, in Norwich, VT, to Ruth Blanchard and Phillip Rogers. She spent much of her childhood in Norwich the care of her much loved grandfather, Harvey Blanchard, until she moved to Claremont, NH, in 1942 to attend high school. The memories of those happy years with her grandfather on the family farm stayed with her throughout her life, even though dementia took away other memories.
Irene graduated from Stevens High School in 1946, a proud member of the National Honor Society. Immediately after high school she went to work at International Shoe in Claremont. She met Carroll A. Demars (aka “Pete”) at a dance in North Springfield, VT, and they married at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Claremont on June 4, 1949. A few years after the birth of their second child in 1956, Irene went to work for Eugene Isabelle at Claremont Builders’ Supply where she worked as bookkeeper for over 20 years. She had a real aptitude for calculations on the spot which impressed the many contractors who did business with the lumberyard!
After the Isabelles retired in the 1970’s and sold the business to LaValley Building Supply, Irene stayed on as bookkeeper, retiring in 1979. In her “retirement” she kept busy caring for a number of children including her grandsons, with whom she and Pete spent much time. She so enjoyed those years and would reminisce about their escapades years later.
In addition to being very involved in the lives of her immediate family members, Irene enjoyed spending time with extended family and the many friends she and Pete made over the years. She especially enjoyed the summers spent at their cottage on Sandy Beach at Lake Kolelemook in West Springfield, NH. She was an excellent cook and was known for her “very excellent pork pies”.
Irene and Pete were married over 62 years when Pete died in April, 2012. Her own health declined over the following years, and she went to live at the Memory Care Center in June 2015, where she received wonderful care.
In addition to Pete and her parents, she was predeceased by her daughter, Lynn S. Meron in 2003. She was also predeceased by her step-father, Wilbur Drake, sisters, Madelyn Hill, Gloria Neun, Edith Tanzi, and brothers, Donald Hill and Wilbur Drake.
She is survived by her daughter Sandra D. Brown (Ralph) of Brownsville, VT, her grandsons, Brian K Meron of Claremont, Adam J. Piselli (Kelly) of Hartland, VT, Jonathan M. Russell of Brownsville, Evan M. Russell (Stefanie) of Windsor, VT, and great grandchildren, Andrew and Amanda Piselli of Hartland, VT. She is also survived by her sisters, Barbara Brill of Claremont, and Juanita Hill of Norwich, VT; a sister-in-law, Claire Terriciano of Framingham, MA, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held for Irene on Saturday, October 15, at 11AM at the Stringer Funeral Home,146 Broad Street, Claremont NH. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Main Street, Claremont.
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