Auburn- Velma A. (Lind) Blanchard, 78, a longtime Auburn resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday June 30th, surrounded by her family, at the Lutheran Home in Worcester.
Born in Stockholm, ME, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Alice (Adamson) Lind. Velma leaves behind her beloved husband of 53 years, Daniel J. Blanchard, of Auburn. She is survived by a daughter, Dawn M. Blanchard, of Auburn, two sons, Christopher R. Blanchard and his wife Maria, of Auburn, and Robert E. Blanchard and his wife Keri, of Attleboro. Velma is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Michael, Danielle, and Sarah Blanchard, of Auburn; and Savannah and Avery Blanchard, of Attleboro. She was pre-deceased by her brother, Eugene Lind.
Before moving to Auburn, Velma was secretary to the Commandant, The Naval Air Base, Pensacola, Florida and from there moved to Washington DC where she worked for the IRS. Upon the discharge of her husband, the two moved to Auburn where they raised their family. Later, Velma began work at The Telegram and Gazette secretary to the publisher, Robert Achorn. In 1988, she became secretary to the Rev. Father Brooks, the president of The College of the Holy Cross. Upon retiring, Velma volunteered her time at the Worcester Public Library, teaching English as a second language. She enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling the world with her husband Dan, and sitting by the water at their house on the lake. The family would like to thank all the wonderful and thoughtful nurses and staff at the Lutheran Home who took great care of Velma during her time there.
Calling hours will be Friday, July 8th, 2016, from 10-11am at the Bethel Lutheran Church, 90 Bryn Mawr Avenue, in Auburn followed by a service at 11am. A private burial will be at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Warren. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, donations can be made to the Stockholm Lutheran Church, Stockholm ME and to Compassionate Care Hospice, 691 Grafton Street Worcester MA, 01604.
Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Hammond St, Worcester is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory of Velma or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.royfuneral.com