AUBURN — Marie Blanche Parent passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, July 17, at the Hospice House in Auburn.

She was born on Nov. 12, 1927, in Lewiston, to Joseph and Marie Louise (Forgues) Gendron. Blanche received her education at the Holy Cross Parochial School and was a lifetime communicant of Holy Cross Church in Lewiston.

Blanche married the love of her life, Robert W Parent, on June 11, 1949. Although she enjoyed working on a part time basis at Bonneau’s Market, Blanche considered caring for her family as her full-time career and a labor of love. She looked forward to the holidays and the tradition of an annual family vacation where she cherished the opportunity to spend quality time with all her precious family members. During these times her engaging and vibrant personality was always on display.

A very caring person, Blanche had a gift of making everyone feel like an old friend and listened with an intense and sincere interest. Blanche took great joy in being actively involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grand children, all of whom cherished their special relationship with her. Blanche lived life to the fullest, engaging in a number of outdoor endeavors, including tennis, racquetball and golf. In addition, she considered the weekly card games with her siblings to be an important aspect of her life. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

Blanche is survived by Robert, her husband of 61 years; and her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Daughter Caroline Chandonnet, her husband, Daniel, their two daughters, Melissa Farinas and her husband, Len Farinas, and children, Brodi, Brandon and Sophia and Jaime LeBlanc and her husband, Jesse LeBlanc; daughter, Joan Nason, her partner, Chris Toy, and daughter, Lindsay Nason; her son, Bruce and his wife, Marjorie, and their daughters, Katie and Emily; and son, Bill, his wife, Kathy and their children, Allison, Matthew and Jennifer. In addition, she is survived by her siblings, sister, Beatrice Guimond, sister Irene Letourneau and husband, Clarence; brother, Dolard Gendron and wife, Priscilla, brother, Bertrand Gendron and wife, Therese, brother, Claude Gendron and wife, Jacqueline. In addition, she is survived by her sisters-in-law, Madeline Gendron and Jeanette Gendron.

Blanche was predeceased by her brothers, Arthur and Maurice Gendron.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.