Edith Miriam (Sherburne) Blanchard

Edith Miriam Blanchard (nee Sherburne), Wells, Maine, died November 23, 2020.

Born September 28, 1919 on her father’s farm in Ogunquit, Maine, Miriam led a life of full accomplishments.  Her cooking and baking skills were renowned and past recipients of those treats considered themselves to be extarordinarily lucky.

Miriam was a farmer working from childhood to adulthood alongside her father, Fred Sherburne, at his farm on Captain Thomas Road in Ogunquit.  She attended the one room schoolhouse at the corner of Hiltons Lane and Tatnic Road and often shared stories of her adventures of walking to school, as the journey from the farm could be challenging at times, especially in the winter.

She graduated from Wells High School where she played varsity girls basketball.  These skills enabled her to meet her future husband, Sidney Blanchard, who was a skilled boys varsity basketball player.

Sid and Miriam were married on November 1, 1937 and resided throughout New England before moving to New Jersey where they raised their two children, Edith and Sidney Blanchard, Jr.  Miriam was very active in community and political activities and remained involved well into her late 90’s.  In New Jersey, she was past president of the Ladies Progressive Council of Engineers and served as a committee woman for the Repulican Party in Iselin.

 Back in Maine, she was a member of the Ogunquit Baptist Church.  Miriam was also a life-long member and past Matron of the Madonna Chapter #144 of Eastern Star and with her husband, Sid, was involved with the bean suppers at Ocean Lodge.  Miriam was often asked to prepare meals for the Lodge’s monthly meetings with special requests for her braised beef and biscuits.  Rarely were those meetings missed.

 While Miriam led a good long life, her Sherburne roots in New England date back to 1623 when the first crew arrived from England.  Through grit and perseverance, they thrived as sea captains and farmers spreading throughout New England.  The Morrell-Sherburne House, located in North Berwick, is a museum featuring some of the family’s history in York County.

 Miriam is predeceased  by her husband, Sidney Blanchard, Sr. and daughter, Edith Moody.  She is survived by her son, Sidney and his wife, Elizabeth; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews.

 Burial will be private and a celebration of Miriam’s life will be held at a future date. 

Memorial donations may be made to the North Berwick Historical Society, P.O. Box 477, North Berwick, ME 03906

Arrangementsare entrusted to the Johnson Funeral Home, North Berwick, where condolences may be expressed at www.JohnsonFuneralHomeME.com

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