FARMINGTON – Blanche Rose Newell, 81, a 50-year resident of Baldwin Street, Livermore Falls, died unexpectedly Friday evening, April 11, at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.

She was born in Jay on April 22, 1926, the daughter of Fiorindo J. and Erminia (Gonnella) Benedetto. She attended St. Rose of Lima School and graduated from Mt. Merici Academy in Waterville in 1944.

She married Walter Everett “Blackie” Newell on June 12, 1948, at St. Rose of Lima Church. He passed away July 8, 1986.

Blanche was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her family was the light of her life. She was a great homemaker, known for her Italian meals and her pies, bread and cookies.

She was an avid reader, enjoyed walking, and working out with her friends at Visible Results. She enjoyed crocheting and hand quilting, and made each of her children and grandchildren a quilt or afghan. She did volunteer work at local schools, food bank, nursing homes and the hospital.

She was a member of the Ladies of St. Anne, Daughters of Isabella, Jay-Livermore Falls Senior Citizens and a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church.

She was a receptionist for many years at Weight Watchers.

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Nichols of Fayette; two sons, Kevin Newell and his wife, Joan, of Lunenburg, Mass., and Brian Newell of Fayette; four brothers, John Benedetto of Everett, Wash., Anthony Benedetto of St. Cloud, Fla., William Benedetto of Portland, Ore., and F. Joseph “Ju-Ju” Benedetto of Wheeling, W.Va.; nine grandchildren, Christopher Lidstone, Lauri Lidstone Klugh, Anthony, Erica and Keith Newell, Kristin, Melissa and Jennie Newell, and Jason Stanhope; three step-grandchildren, Michael Williams, Kristin Pernie and Paige Charette; and three great-grandchildren, Dylan Newell, and Will and Walker Klugh.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Lidstone in 2000; a son-in-law, Leroy Nichols in 1996; and her sisters, Violet Laliberte and Theresa “Te-Te” Breton; and a brother, Ralph Benedetto.