Marilyn Lucille Blaisdell (Giannetta) 85, of Brookline, NH, formerly of Bedford, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her husband, Albert E. Blaisdell, in Dec. 2007.
She was born May 10, 1938, in Everett, the daughter of Salvatore Giannetta and Nicolina (Nellie) Capone Giannetta.
Marilyn attended Bedford Public Schools and graduated from Concord High School in 1956.
Marilyn married Albert Blaisdell on Aug. 10, 1956, and traveled with him worldwide during his service in the United States Army.
Marilyn and her husband were associated with several National and International adoption programs. These included the Holt Adoption Program, The New England Home for Little Wanderers, and The Lutheran Service Society. During these associations, they offered their love and home to four children, and with the birth of their fifth child, James, their family was a blend of nationalities.
They opened their home every summer to a child from “The Fresh Air Fund,” an agency that placed underprivileged inner-city children with host families to provide them the simple pleasures of a summer in the country.
Settling in Brookline, NH in 1966, Marilyn was a stay-at-home mother until 1976 when she began working at Consolidated Foods, and later at Facit International in their accounts payable offices.
In her later years, Marilyn worked for the Town of Hollis driving a school bus – a van for special needs children in the Nashua Public School system. In later years, she volunteered during her winters in San Diego at a food bank, and at the senior center library in Nashua.
Marilyn was an avid reader, cook, and loved the beach. She followed the Red Sox and traveled to their spring training in Florida with her husband. She also traveled to Italy and France in her retirement.
She enjoyed the company of a very close friend Carol Cadorette throughout their children’s growing years and after retirement with Merry Mayo, a fellow volunteer with whom she enjoyed lunches at MaryAnne’s Diner and walks weekly.
Marilyn is survived by her four children: Gary and his partner Dawn Sylvia of Coventry RI, daughter Dianna and husband Brad of Fitchburg; son Michael and husband Norman of the Philippines and son James of Brookline, NH. She is predeceased by her late son Daniel Blaisdell of Nashua, NH. Marilyn is also survived by seven grandchildren: Brittany, Cameron, Brianna, Brandon, Simon, Hailey, and Grace, all of whom she was very proud and loved dearly. Marilyn leaves behind sisters Doris Napoli (Giannetta), Diane Doucette (Giannetta), nephew Nicholas, and is predeceased by her late brothers Salvatore Giannetta and Bruce Giannetta. Nieces: Cheryl, Sharon, Robyn, Joy and their families from the Wilmington area, and nieces Lisa, Carla, and nephews David, Robert and their families from the Littleton area.
There will be no calling hours, and burial will be private with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.
The family asks that donations honoring the life of Marilyn be made to either the Community Hospice House or Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Dr., Merrimack, NH 03054, Attention: Development or online at www.hhhc.org.
Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm St, Milford, NH. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.
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