Claire Frances Blanchard

SOUTH PORTLAND - Claire Frances Blanchard, 89, of Jordan Ave., South Portland, died Monday December 17, 2012 at a Portland Hospital. She was born in East Boston on August 22, 1923 a daughter of George and Margaret M. Kennedy Millington. Claire graduated in 1940 from Winthrop High School in Winthrop, MA. Following high school she worked for an insurance company in Boston. She later accepted a position with New England Telephone Company. Her family moved from Massachusetts to Maine in 1944. On May 16, 1953 Claire married John M. Blanchard, Sr. at Holy Cross Church. They began raising a family. Claire worked as a school traffic crossing guide in South Portland for many years. She enjoyed knitting and often made mittens for the children she met at her crossing area, near Red's Tasty Freeze. She was a longtime communicant of Holy Cross Church. Claire enjoyed playing golf and was a member at Willowdale and Poland Springs Golf Courses. She bowled in the leagues at the Big 20 in Scarborough. The true loves of her life were her family and closest friends. The times spent with her dearest friends "Philly" and Anita and the James family were memories she cherished every day of her life. One of her favorite places to be was "at camp" in Bridgton with her family. She reminisced about these experiences often. Her sister "Peg" always held a special place in her heart. They enjoyed raising their families together. She was predeceased by her husband John in 2006 and Margaret, their infant daughter, and brothers Sonny Dick Millington. The family would like to extend special thanks to the entire staff at The Cedars for their care and compassion. Claire is survived by four sons, John M. "Skip" Blanchard, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of Harrison, George Blanchard and his wife Linda of Gray, James Blanchard and his wife Jessica of Gray, Edward Blanchard and his wife Susan of Scarborough; seven grandchildren, Rebecca Blanchard, David Guignard, Troy Guignard, Nicole Blanchard, Erin Blanchard, Andrew Blanchard, Krista Blanchard; four great grandchildren, Karah, Isaiah, Micah, Gideon. A brief prayer service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday December 21, 2012 at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to: Barbara Bush Children's Hospital, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, Maine 04101Online condolences may be expressed below.