Joanne E. Blanchard, 79, died January 27th at Ridgewood Center in Bedford, NH after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

She was the daughter of Sydney and Josephine (Burton) Brandreth of Providence Rhode Island.

Born in North Hampton, MA, she attended schools in Leicester, MA where she graduated Valedictorian of her class in 1948, going on to receive a degree in teaching from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1952.

She began her teaching career in Oxford, MA and resumed teaching (after raising three children) in Fitchburg MA, where she taught English for 25 years at the Memorial Middle School. She earned a Masters Degree from Fitchburg State College. She dedicated her life and love of English and reading to the many children she taught. She was an avid reader, and loved a good mystery.

For the last 18 years, she lived in New Boston with her daughter Lynne and son-in law Gregg Young and granddaughter Hailee where she enjoyed her retirement from teaching.

She was predeceased by her husband Peter J. Blanchard, whom she married in 1954 and her daughter Anne (Blanchard) Moore. She is survived by her daughter, Lynne Young of New Boston, NH, Mark Blanchard of Nashua, NH and her grandchildren, Allie and Corey Moore of Stratham NH, Andrea Blanchard of Keene, NH and Hailee Young of New Boston, NH.

Funeral services will be held Saturday 1:00 PM at New Boston Community Church, New Boston NH. French and Rising Funeral Home 17 South Mast St. Goffstown NH is in charge of arrangements. For more information or to sign an online guest book, go to www.frenchandrising.com.

Memorial Donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research @michaeljfox.org.