Claire F. Blanchard

SOUTH PORTLAND — Claire Frances Blanchard, 89, of South Portland, died on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at a Portland Hospital.

She was born in East Boston, Mass. on Aug. 22, 1923, the daughter of George and Margaret M. Kennedy Millington. Claire graduated in 1940 from Winthrop High School in Winthrop, Mass.

Following high school, she worked for an insurance company in Boston. She later accepted a position with New England Telephone Company. Her family moved from Massachusetts to Maine in 1944.

On May 16, 1953, Claire married John M. Blanchard Sr. at Holy Cross Church. They began raising a family.

Claire worked as a school traffic-crossing guide in South Portland for many years. She enjoyed knitting and often made mittens for the children she met at her crossing area, near Red’s Tasty Freeze.

She was a longtime communicant of Holy Cross Church. Claire enjoyed playing golf and was a member at Willowdale and Poland Springs Golf Courses. She bowled in the leagues at the Big 20 in Scarborough.

The true loves of her life were her family and closest friends. The times spent with her dearest friends “Philly” and Anita and the James family were memories she cherished every day of her life. One of her favorite places to be was “at camp” in Bridgton with her family. She reminisced about these experiences often. Her sister, “Peg,” always held a special place in her heart. They enjoyed raising their families together.

She was predeceased by her husband John in 2006; Margaret, their infant daughter; and brothers, “Sonny” and Dick Millington.

Claire is survived by four sons, John M. “Skip” Blanchard Jr. of Harrison, George Blanchard of Gray, James Blanchard of Gray and Edward Blanchard of Scarborough; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A brief prayer service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04101.