May Louise Peck Blanchard, 97, of Lake Wales, Fla., died peacefully January 4. Born January 22, 1917, in St Johnsbury, Vt., to Mary (Salmon) and George Peck, Mrs Blanchard had been a resident of Newtown for more than 30 years prior to moving to Florida two years ago, when health required a warmer climate and additional care.

The daughter of a farm manager, she spent her youth in various locations, including Vermont, New Jersey, and Florida. After graduating from Bridgeton High School in New Jersey in 1938, she studied nursing at Springfield Hospital in Massachusetts. It was while serving as a nurse at New York Hospital in 1941 that she met and married her husband, Dr Joseph Blanchard.

The couple moved to Bedford, N.Y., to raise their growing family.

Survivors include sons Kirk Blanchard, and his wife Judy, of Newtown, George Blanchard of the Philippines, Chris Blanchard, and his wife Dee, of Lake Wales, and daughter Holly Blanchard of Head of the Harbor, N.Y.; grandchildren Tristan Goodrich of Santiago, Chile, Joe Blanchard of Roseburg, Ore., Whitney Hauer of Charlottesville, Va., Quincey Oliver of Rodman, N.Y., Kerry Newton of Warren, Vt., Louise Hogan of Washington, DC, and Sarah Hogan of Folly Beach, S.C. Four great-grandchildren also survive Mrs Blanchard. Her husband of more than 40 years, and her son-in-law Daniel Hogan predeceased her.

The family would like to thank Meals On Wheels and the Bethel VNA for their assistance in caring for Mrs Blanchard, prior to her move to Florida.

There will be no calling hours. 

Memorial donations can be made to The Salvation Army, at www.salvationarmy.org.