Lorania E. (Graves) Blanchard

STERLING/PRINCETON – Lorania E. (Graves) Blanchard, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2013, after an illness. She was born in Southbridge, the daughter of John H. and Ethel M. (Bliss) Graves and was raised in East Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School.

Her husband of 61 years, John V. Blanchard, passed away in 2008. She leaves three sons, Louis W. Blanchard and his wife, Nancy of Westminster, VT, John A. Blanchard of Sterling and David F. Blanchard and his wife, Terri of Worcester; two brothers, John Graves of East Princeton and Howard Graves of Gardner; a sister, Patricia Junell of Princeton; two grandchildren, Brian L. Blanchard and his wife Teresa and Keith D. Blanchard; two great-grandchildren, Esperanza and Aliyah Blanchard; and nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her son, James S. Blanchard.

For 50 years Lorania and John ran the family apple orchard and she was treasurer and director of Justice Hill, Inc. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Princeton and was an active member of local historical societies. She was an avid painter, a gourmet chef and was a passionate gardener.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, in the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling. The funeral service for Mrs. Blanchard will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, in the funeral home followed by burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Princeton. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Town of Sterling Fire Department Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 515, Sterling, MA 01564. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, visit www.milesfuneralhome.com