Mary Frances "Fran" (Flood) Blanchard, 89, of New Bedford died Monday, February 24, 2020 at St. Luke's Hospital after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Roland H. Blanchard.
Born in Fairhaven, daughter of the late John F. and Mary (McQuade) Flood, she lived in New Bedford for most of her life.
She was a graduate of Holy Family High School, class of 1947.
Fran was formerly employed by Whitworth Insurance Company for many years until her retirement.
She was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, where she was active as a member of the Ladies Guild. She was also a member of the Couples Club for over 40 years and had served as a past president.
Fran was a loving wife, mother, and the very definition of the word "Nana".
She is survived by four children, Robert R. Blanchard and his companion Pamela Calnen, Kenneth F. Blanchard and his wife Tracie, Gayle A. Theg and her husband Richard, and Gary Blanchard and his wife Tammy; her sister, Elizabeth Haskell; her brother-in-law, Fridolin Blanchard, Jr.; eight grandchildren, Erin Fischer and her husband Kenneth, Ryan Blanchard and his wife Sarah, Maxwell Blanchard, Katherine Costa and her husband Christopher, Connor and Samuel Theg, and Paige and Madison Blanchard; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late John F. Flood Jr., and Edward, and Stephen Flood.
Fran's family would like to thank the staff at Hathaway Manor and St. Luke's Hospital for the wonderful and compassionate care provided to her.
Her Funeral will be held on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 10 AM. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday February 27, 2020 from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fran's memory may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.