BOW - Norma Ordway Blanchard, 86, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association Hospice House in Concord.

She was born at the Ordway family homestead, Breezy Hill Farm, in Bow, the daughter of Norman P. and Ava (Lewis) Ordway. Norma spent her childhood in Bow, then moved to Milford. She summered on Lake Winnisquam. Norma graduated from Milford High School in 1941 and Nashua Business School in 1943. After graduation, she worked at Johns Mansville Corp. in Nashua. In 1946, she married George F. "Boxie" Blanchard, settled in Bow, raised a family and became a lifelong resident there.

Norma worked for the Merrimack County Commissioners Office as a welfare secretary/bookkeeper for 25 years. She retired to care for her husband, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease and devoted many years as a caregiver until he died in 1998. Norma is remembered best for her love of life, creativity and kind, fun-loving nature. She had a great love of family and friends and expressed this in many thoughtful ways through her friendships, kind words and hand-crafted gifts. In later years, Norma enjoyed line-dancing with her friends and became an artist. She loved the ocean and spent time at Concord Point, Rye Beach and Popham Beach in Phippsburg, Maine.

Norma was predeceased by her husband, George F. Blanchard, and her sister, Helen O. Duffy of Concord.

Norma leaves a son, Wayne T. Blanchard and his wife, MaryAnn Bennett, of Rockingham, Vt.; a grandson, Zachary Bennett Blanchard; a son, Timothy G. Blanchard of Bradford; a daughter, Karen Blanchard Mitchell of Bow; a granddaughter, Maria Elena Mitchell; and sisters, Virginia O. Gangloff of Milford and Joyce O. Hale of Salem.

A calling hour will be held Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Church Street chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N. Main St., Concord.

Burial will be held at Evans Cemetery in Bow.

A reception will then follow the burial at the funeral home.