Jane A. Henderson Blanchard

White River Jct., VT – Jane A. Henderson Blanchard, 84, passed away Thursday September 29th at Genesis Eldercare Lebanon Center in Lebanon, NH after a long illness.

She was born September 26, 1927 in Boston, MA and moved to White River Jct. as a young girl where she was raised by her mother Helen Henderson and her grandfather Harry D. Henderson. She Graduated from Hartford High School in 1945 before working in the Adjudication Department at the Veteran's Administration. She married Henry Blanchard in December of 1946 and has spent the past sixty five years as a devoted wife and mother. After raising her four children she returned to work as a personnel secretary at the US Postal Service, retiring in 1988.

Jane was an early advocate of special education and lobbied for it both locally in Hartford as well as statewide in Montpelier. She was also an active supporter of the Special Olympics.

She was predeceased by a son Robert T. Blanchard in 2000.

She is survived by her loving husband Henry; son Richard G. Blanchard and his wife Rachel of West Glover, VT; two daughters Jill McKay and her husband Daniel of Centerville, MA and Cindy Potter and her husband Christopher of White River Jct.; eight grandchildren Kristopher, Kevin, Jaci, Kali, Whitni, Cassie, Thomas and Linsi and seven great-grandchildren.

There will be an informal celebration for family and close friends at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct. on Saturday at 10AM with committal following in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made for the benefit of women, children and families affected by tropical storm Irene to the Upper Valley Haven, 745 Hartford Avenue, White River Jct., VT 05001.