Marilyn S. (Magill) Blanchard

Shrewsbury - Marilyn Blanchard was a woman of deep faith and had a love and commitment to her church. Part of this faith reminded her to praise God in the storm, trust Him in the valley and follow Him in the dark…and she did. Marilyn died at her home in Boylston with her husband and daughter at her side on Thursday, June 6, 2024, after a valiant battle with cancer. She has reached the fulfillment and rich rewards of her faith and discovered its wonderful mysteries in heaven. Marilyn was 76.

Marilyn Susan Magill was born December 16, 1947, in Worcester a daughter of the late Robert E. and Elsie M. (King) Magill. Raised in Worcester she was a graduate of North High School with the class of 1965 and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Worcester State University in 1970 and her Master’s degree in Education in 1977 from Assumption University. She married Shrewsbury native Peter T. Blanchard on December 20, 1969, in Saint Mary’s Church. Longtime residents of Shrewsbury they moved to Boylston in 2020.

Marilyn enjoyed a long career following her passion for education. She taught in the Millbury Public Schools for over 15 years. She later taught at St. Mary’s in Shrewsbury teaching language arts in grades 4, 5, and 6 before becoming principal at St. Mary’s in Clinton for over six years. She retired in 2004. 

Marilyn was a wonderful and integral part of the fabric of her parish community of Saint Mary’s. She served as Eucharistic minister, taught in its CCD program for years, served many terms on the Pastoral Council and enjoyed her friendships from its Ladies of Faith group. As a member of the Arts and Environment and Liturgy committees she was masterful at helping decorate the church for holy seasons throughout the year. She also served as a greeter at St. Mary’s where she formed many lasting bonds with parishioners.

She and Peter maintained a home in Cape Neddick, Maine that was always a wonderful retreat for them throughout the years. She loved being by the ocean with a good book to read and the company of family and friends. 

Marilyn was the epitome of hospitality and would always look elegant for the simplest occasion or grand affair with her signature look of perfectly coiffed hairstyle. She would often bring the world’s best chocolate chip cookies to meetings, friends or wherever she thought they would be enjoyed. Marilyn would gloat in the rave reviews and then eventually confess it was Peter that was the talented baker. They made a perfect team.

In addition to her husband of 54 years, Peter, she leaves her daughter, Rebecca A. Lauzon of North Grafton; her grandchildren, Allyson M. and Maddison A. Lauzon; in-laws, Stephen H. Blanchard (Nancy) of Charlotte, North Carolina and Susan Pomposelli (V. James, deceased, daughter Catherine Poirier, deceased) of Millbury; nephews Michael M. Pomposelli (Molly) of Needham and James Pomposelli (Susie Sanchez) of Chicago, Illinois; several grandnieces and grandnephews; and her longtime friend whom she considered a sister, Carol Forchielli (Kenneth) of Shrewsbury.

Family and friends will honor and remember Marilyn’s life by gathering for calling hours from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 10th in Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.

Memorials in Marilyn's name may be made to Saint Mary's Parish, 18 Summer Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or https://stmarysparish.org/weshare or Holy Family Monastery and Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Rd. West Hartford, CT 06107-3119 or https://www.holyfamilyretreat.org/