Maxine May Blanchard

Blanchard, Maxine May (Rand), 88, of Presque Isle and East Grand Lake, died July 24 at the Aroostook Medical Center.
    PRESQUE ISLE AND EAST GRAND LAKE- Maxine (Rand) Blanchard, 88, died July 24, 2007 at The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle. She was born in Mars Hill on January 9, 1919, the daughter of Walter and Hazel (Esty) Rand. She lived most of her life in Mars Hill, spending her summers at her camp on East Grand Lake. In 1999 she moved to Presque Isle to be near her daughter and son. In 1937 she was graduated from Aroostook Central Institute in Mars Hill where she was named an all-state basketball player. This started her lifelong love of basketball. After high school, she trained at the Banford Academy of Hairdressing in New York City. Then she worked on Long Island, returning to Aroostook County to marry her childhood sweetheart Russell Phillip “Bill” Blanchard on September 7, 1941. She was a past member of the Mars Hill Community Club, a member of the Mars Hill United Methodist Church and a member of the United Methodist Women. Her interests included reading, solving crossword puzzles, working on arts and crafts and attending her grandchildren’s basketball games. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her son Randy Esty Blanchard, her sister and husband Roma and Michael Dinda and her nephew Mike Dinda.
    Survivors include two daughters, Beth Blanchard of Presque Isle and Trudy Hodgdon and her husband Tony of Auburn, and one son Brian Blanchard and his wife Anne of Fort Fairfield. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Jon, Brianna and Billi Lynn Blanchard and a special friend Frances Banks of Mars Hill.
    Visiting hours were Friday, July 27, 2007 at Duncan Funeral Home in Mars Hill from 4-7 PM. The funeral was held Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the Mars Hill United Methodist Church at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Dan Blevens officiating. Committal followed at Kings Grove Cemetery in Mars Hill. Friends who wish may make contributions in her memory to the Mars Hill United Methodist Church, Mars Hill 04758. Condolences may be expressed at wwwduncan-graves.com.