Maria Blanchard's Obituary
Obituary
Maria Teresa Blanchard left her native Italy as a teenager to make a new life in the United States. She married, raised a family, became an American citizen and spread love to her seven grandchildren. On Dec. 6, 2017, at age 81, her journey took her into God's care as she died peacefully in Frederick with her husband and children at her side. She had been treated for a brain tumor. Born and raised in Rome, she came to the U.S at 18 to join the mother she adored -- mia adorata mamma, as she wrote on the back of a picture in 1961. Maria took English classes in Washington, D.C and got a job as a clerk in accounts receivable at Marriott Corp., where she met William Blanchard Jr. They would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on Dec. 8. She called him "love," and he called her "my sweet." They had two children -- a daughter, Diane, and a son, Scott -- and lived first in Hyattsville, Md. and then Rockville. Maria and the children made frequent trips to Bethesda to visit her mother, Lena Jayme, sister Paola and stepfather Enrico (who died in 1990). With the kids out of college, Bill and Maria moved to Frederick in the early 1990s. She made their home into party central for their children and grandchildren, as well as her mother and sister. On birthdays and at Christmas and Easter, adults and children alike would sprawl across the family-room floor to celebrate with gifts and food. And if you were part of the family -- or a friend or acquaintance who visited -- you knew to expect warm and ceaseless offers of something to eat or drink. In her 60s, she passed the test to become a U.S. citizen, a proud moment in her life. She loved her dear friends, many from the Italian community she found when she arrived in America. She loved flowers and her garden. She loved her children's families: Diane and John Hawkins of Thurmont and their children Elise, Justin, Rosemary and Robert; and Scott and Betsy Blanchard of Littlestown, Pa. and their children Zachary, Elin and Luke. She loved Bill, and they bonded over Italian music, including a favorite that sang of "anima e cuore" -- heart and soul. She never stopped grieving her beloved mother, who died in 2008. Bill, Diane and Scott and their families, and Paola treasure Maria's memory. Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 14 from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 18 E. 2nd St. in Frederick, followed immediately by the Funeral Mass at 10:30. A Rite of Committal will then be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, 9501 Catoctin Mountain Highway, Frederick. In lieu of flowers, please kindly contribute to the National Italian American Foundation in Washington, D.C. at niaf.org or 1860 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. ServiceResthaven Memorial Gardens9501 Catoctin Mtn HwyFrederick, MD 21701 VisitationSaint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church118 E 2nd StFrederick, MD 21701 Thursday, December 14, 2017 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM MASSSaint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church118 E 2nd StFrederick, MD 21701 Thursday, December 14, 2017 10:30 AM BurialResthaven Memorial Gardens9501 Catoctin Mtn HwyFrederick, MD 21701 Thursday, December 14, 2017
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