Margaret Ann Blanchet, 86, of the Atrium, Red Bank, formerly of Manhattan, passed away peacefully in her home April 19, 2023.Â
Margaret Ann was the middle of five daughters born to Lucille (Kennedy) and G. Arthur Blanchet. Margaret Ann is survived by her four sisters, Lucille Conklin and Beverly Reiss, both of Little Silver, Sister Rosamond Blanchet, RSHM of Bronx, New York, and Carole (Michael) Brown of Naples, Florida, and Rumson.
Margaret Ann graduated from Marymount College, Tarrytown, New York, and, upon graduation, she entered the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. As an RSHM she taught for eight years in the lower school of Marymount School of New York.
After leaving religious life, Margaret Ann taught at the Birch Wathen School on East 71st Street which eventually consolidated with the Lenox School on East 77th Street. She continued her career at Birch Wathen Lenox as a librarian in the lower school. Children naturally gravitated toward Margaret Ann’s kind and patient demeanor. Her quick wit and dry sense of humor were enjoyed by all. Her commitment to the education of children spanned over four decades until her retirement in 2014.
Margaret Ann’s enduring legacy is her selfless dedication to others. In addition to her life as an educator, she was a devoted caregiver to her beloved parents Art and Lucy, now deceased. For over a decade she faithfully cared for them with an abundance of love and compassion so they could remain in the comfort of their home in their final years. It is her selfless nature that touched the lives of so many and that which will be remembered by all who were blessed and fortunate to know her.
In addition to her sisters, Margaret Ann is survived by 11 nieces and nephews, 20 grandnieces and nephews, and one great-grandnephew.
Visitation took place May 1 at John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 2 at St. James Church, Red Bank.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Margaret Ann to the Monastery of the Precious Blood, 700 Bridge St., Manchester, NH 03104-5495.
John E. Day Funeral Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the May 4 – 10, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
