Jeanne M. Blades, 81

Mrs. Jeanne M. (Foley) Blades, age 81, died Monday morning, February 4, at her Tewksbury home, surrounded by her beloved family, following a lengthy illness.  She was the wife for 35 years of Edward A. Blades Sr., who died in 1996.

She was born in Medford, September 30, 1931, one of six children of the late John and Ellen (Lucia) Foley, was raised in Medford, and graduated from Medford High School.   She worked at Fireman’s Insurance Company in Boston during her early years.  After her marriage, Jeanne and Ed moved to Tewksbury in 1961 to raise their young and growing family.  She was a devout Catholic, and a communicant of St. William’s Parish.  She opened her home to teach CCD to her children and neighbors.  For recreation, she enjoyed bowling, but her life was focused on her family and her home.

She is survived by five devoted children, Susan Blades and Edward A. Blades Jr. both of Tewksbury, Michele Golden, Shawn Blades and his wife Danielle (Comtois) Blades, and Scott Blades all of Lowell; nine beloved grandchildren, Matthew Golden, Jonathan Golden, Samantha Blades, Sydney Blades, Lily Blades, Isabella Blades, Cole Blades all of Lowell, Patrick Blades and Rylee Jeanne Blades both of Tewksbury; four sisters, Florence Friend and her husband Edward, Carol Fisher and her husband Carl all of NY, Shirley Erickson of Derry NH, Mary McGuire of Tewksbury; a sister-in-law, Dolly Foley of Medford, who was the wife of her late brother, John “Jack” Foley; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours Wednesday, February 6, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER. Phone (800  in MA or 978) 851 2950.  Her funeral will begin on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass Thursday, February 6, at 10:00 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, No. Tewksbury.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Oblate Father’s Infirmary, 486 Chandler St., Tewksbury, MA 01876, will be appreciated.  tewksburyfuneralhome.com