Blanche M. Joyal

"Belchertown- Blanche M. (Giles) Joyal, 105, formerly of Everett Acres died June 19 at Mountainview Healthcare Center in Montgomery. Born in Windsor, VT, February 24, 1900, she was the daughter of the late William H. and Katherine (Archambeault) or (Shambo) Giles Morrow. Blanche lived in Belchertown from 1930-2002 before moving to Huntington with her daughter Lorena. She was a 75-year member of St. Francis Church, a past president of the Catholic Women's Club, and perpetual adoration volunteer through age 101. Mrs. Joyal received a plaque as the Outstanding Citizen of Belchertown in 1975 and the Outstanding Native Born American in 1978 through the Massachusetts American Legion. She was a founding member of the former Golden Age Club, a charter member and past president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 239 and a longtime member of the Senior Center all in Belchertown. Mrs. Joyal received the Golden Cane as oldest resident in Belchertown in 1998, and then again in 2003 while living in Huntington. Basically a homemaker, she worked as a machinist during the 1950s at Tampax Corp. (now Tambrands) formerly in Three Rivers. Her hobbies included crocheting, sewing, praying the rosary, playing cards and word games, and visiting with family and friends. She also was a longtime volunteer at Leeds VA Medical Center. Blanche is survived by her children, James O. of Florence, Louise M. Barrett of Belchertown, Charles B. of Belchertown, Eleanor M. Plant of Orange, Robert M. of Chicopee, Samuel J. of Belchertown, Anne E. West of Pittsfield, and Lorena E. "Lori" Belhumeur of Huntington. She also leaves 30 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. Blanche was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Romeo J. Joyal in 1982 and her children Marjorie E. and Walter L. Joyal. Her siblings Harley, William A., Bernice L. Goodrich Oppel, Clarence E., Ernest R., and half sister Dora (Morrow) Cooley, also died earlier. Funeral services will be Saturday at 10:00 a.m. from the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, 10 Maple Street (Rte. 202) followed by a Mass of Christian Liturgy at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Church, Belchertown. Burial will follow in St. Brigid's Cemetery in Amherst. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Francis Building Fund, P.O. Box 612 Belchertown, MA 01007, Mountainview Healthcare Center Building Fund, 46 Main Rd., Montgomery, MA 01085, St. Thomas Parish Building Fund, 8 E. Main St., P.O. Box 547, Huntington, MA 01050, or Belchertown Senior Center, 60 State Street, Belchertown, 01007. "