Shrewsbury – Maria J. “Dolly” Blanchard, 85, longtime Shrewsbury resident, passed away peacefully with family gathered at her bedside Monday, Nov. 14, 2016.
Maria, a daughter of Vincenzo and Isabelle (Cavalieri) Lopriore, was born in Worcester and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. In 1952, Maria married Henry “Hank” Blanchard and together they began 49 years of love and devotion. Forty of those years they lived in Shrewsbury together until Hank passed away in June 2001. Maria continued to live in the family home until moving to Worcester one year ago.
Maria began her employed years with the Astra Pharmaceutical Company. She then accepted a position with the Wyman-Gordon Company before becoming a housekeeper and cook for St. Mary’s Church and St. Columba’s Church before retiring.
Dolly is survived by her son, Emile Blanchard and his wife Kathleen, whom she considered a daughter; five brothers, Anthony Lopriore of Indianapolis, Michael and Domenic Lopriore of Florida, and Michael and Emanuel Tortorelli, both of Worcester; three sisters, Maria DeJoy and Lorenza Everson, both of New York, and Rose Marzi of Colleferro, Italy; two granddaughters, Nicole Eldridge and her husband Samuel of Framingham and Natalie Smith and her husband Kaleb of Shrewsbury; three great-grandchildren, Logan and Sydney Smith and Owen Eldridge; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members, especially the Bird family, who she adopted as her own. A sister, Corinda (Tortorelli) Powers, predeceased her.
Maria was a member of St. Anne’s Church and a former member of its Women’s guild. She enjoyed Bingo, family holidays, watching old movies and special occasions.
Friends and family are invited to calling hours Thursday, Nov. 17, from 5-7 p.m., in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. Her funeral will be held Friday, Nov. 18 from the funeral home, with a procession to the Church of Saint Anne, 130 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury, where her celebration of life Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Burial next to her husband will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.
