Blanche I. (Lebel) Smiley, 98 of Danvers, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the Beverly Hospital. She was the wife of the late George A. Smiley, with whom she had shared 54 years of marriage.
Born and raised and living her entire life in the family home in Danvers, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Angelina (Gagnon) Lebel. She was a graduate of Danvers Holten High School, Class of ’34. For many years, Blanche managed the family owned recreational Lebel’s Grove and was bookkeeper and clerk for her brother’s John M. Lebel Masonry Contractor, Inc of Danvers.
Blanche was an active, gracious and generous woman of many interests and talents. She volunteered, for many years at the Medical Library at the Hunt Memorial Hospital as well as Lahey Clinic in Peabody. A founding sponsor for the Plummer Home for Boys, she was involved in many philanthropic causes including Hospice of the North Shore (now Care Dimensions), North Shore Elder Services, Danvers YMCA and North Shore Technical School of Middleton. Blanche was an active member of the Danvers YMCA and the Danvers Council on Aging.
She is survived by a nephew, Rudolph Lebel and wife Eleanor of Plano, TX and Danvers, a niece, Joanne Poirier and husband Paul of Peachtree City, GA as well as several grandnieces and grandnephews. Blanche was predeceased by her sister Angeline Letourneau, and five brothers, Alfred, Lomeo, Louis, Arthur and John M. Lebel.
Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Mass at St. Richard Church, 90 Forest St., Danvers on Wednesday at 9:00 A.M. At Blanche’s request there will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are by the Levesque Funeral Home of Salem. For guestbook please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com