Gabrielle M. Blanchette 91, formerly of Bennett St., died Saturday at Woonsocket Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was the wife of the late Normand E. Blanchette. Mrs. Blanchette was born in Woonsocket, a daughter of the late Emile and Emma (Fafard) Pierel. Mrs. Blanchette was a member of the 3rd Order of St. Francis, an alumna of St. Claire’s, and a lifelong communicant of Precious Blood Church. She was a homemaker who enjoyed sewing, needlework and also took pride in her early work as a nurse’s aide and bookkeeper for the former Marcoux Brothers Chevrolet. Mrs. Blanchette is survived by four sons Robert H. of Northford, CT, Richard A. of Novato, CA, Paul D. of Woonsocket, and Charles A. of Denver, CO, four daughters Jeanne M. Richardson of Pascoag, Denise M. Blanchette of Fort Worth, TX, Louise B. Williams of Fairfax, VA, and Celine M. McCarthy of Woonsocket, two brothers, Marcel Pierel of No. Smithfield, and Emile Pierel of Cumberland, three sisters Gertrude Marchand of No. Smithfield, Jeanne M. Soucy of Melbourne, FL, and Ruth Phillips of Fort Worth, TX , eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late Andre, Adrien, and Bernard Pierel.
Her funeral will be held Wednesday at 9:00 am. from the Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home, 463 South Main St., Woonsocket with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am., in Precious Blood Church, Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. Burial will be held in St. James Cemetery in Manville. Visiting hours are Tuesday 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Alzheimer’s Association at http://memorywalk2008.kintera.org/gabrielleblanchette in her memory would be appreciated.