Frances Blanchard

North Stonington — Frances M. Blanchard, 92, of North Stonington was called to the Lord to take her to heaven on Sunday, May 11, 2014, to be with her beloved husband of 62 years, Bobby Blanchard, who passed on March 28, 2014. Now they are both together for eternal life.

Frances was born in New London on Mitchell Court on July 16, 1921, the daughter of the late Antonio and Angelina (Turisco) Aquitante from Tusa, Italy. They came through Ellis Island, N.Y., to give their children a better life in America. Raised in New London, Frances grew up early after her mother had a stroke, and she took the responsibility of her younger siblings. Later she was employed at Sheffield Tube.

She was a loyal member of the Women of Moose Club in New London, where she met the love of her life, Bobby Blanchard of Gulf, Texas, while he was on shore duty. They were united in marriage on July 14, 1951, in St. Joseph Church. Frances was a great cook and baker. She traveled to many ports of call with her husband in the U.S. Coast Guard. Frances was a devoted Roman Catholic and was a communicant of St. Thomas Moore Church.

Together they had three children, Diana and Michael Matthews of North Stonington, Philip C. and Una Joyce Blanchard of Preston, and a daughter, Janet M. Cich, that predeceased her in 1995. She is survived by four siblings and spouses, Anthony and Mary Aquitante, Frances Aquitante, Joseph and Beatrice Aquitante, and Philip and Anne Aquitante; brothers-in-law, Patrick and Roger Blanchard; sister-inlaw Pasty Jean Blanchard; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Sousa, Tiffany Roselund, Veronica Tate, Elizabeth Cooper, Monica Woodall, Christopher and Jonathan Cich; six great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Kevin, Jasmine, Zachary, Paige and Myah; and many nieces and nephews.

Her family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. Family and friends are asked to gather for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, 87 Mystic Road, North Stonington. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Thomas Moore church.