Lucile Blanchard McMullen

WATERVILLE -- Lucile Blanchard McMullen, 97, died peacefully at her home on Friday, March 6, 2009, after a brief illness.

Lucile was born in Gardiner on Aug. 17, 1911. Her parents moved to Waterville when she was an infant, and she lived out the rest of her life there.

She was a 1932 graduate of Colby College, and then Thomas College, after which she worked in the business office of the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, where she met both her husband of 50 years, Clifton "Cy" McMullen, and after his death, her second husband, the late Dwight French.

During the 1950s and early '60s she worked with her sister, Virginia Bonner, at Tiny Tots Nursery School on Main Street, and continued the business after her sister moved out of state. Following that, she was clerk of courts in Waterville for many years.

She was very active in Zonta Businesswomen's Club, the Waterville Women's Club, and the Congregational Church, and was proud of her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society.

Lucile was predeceased by three siblings, Virginia (Mrs. George) Bonner, Dorothy (Mrs. William) Clark and brother Webster Blanchard.

She is survived by daughters Margaret and Faith, who lived with her for the past several years; and by a niece and several nephews and their families.

A memorial service will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, ME 04901, or HealthReach Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903.

Arrangements are in the care of Redington Funeral Home, 5 Park St., Waterville.