Blanche H. McGreal

Blanche H. (Premo) McGreal, of Framingham, age 89, died Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Newton Wellesley Hospital surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late John T. McGreal. Born in Athol, she was the daughter of the late Ernest E. and Edna M. (King) Premo. Blanche was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and loved being home to raise her four sons. Her family was the most important aspect of her life. She was an avid reader, a wonderful cook and accomplished baker (most especially famous for her Christmas cookies), and she was renown for her knitting and needle work skills. She turned her hobby into a career of twenty years, when she worked at Stitch & Knit at the former Shoppers World. She also worked at Hickory Farms. Blanche was a friend to many and always had a cup of tea ready for a friend or neighbor. Often that cup of tea came with a sympathetic ear and gentle, nurturing guidance. She is survived by four sons, Thomas McGreal and his wife Claire of Del Mar, CA; Michael McGreal; Jim McGreal and his wife Kathleen; Jack McGreal and Sandy Ramos all of Framingham; her daughters-in-law, Pat McGreal of Framingham, Sandra Edgerly of NH. and Roxanne McGreal (deceased). She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren, Michael McGreal and his wife Karen of Wellesley; Chris McGreal and Jaime Reed of San Diego, CA; Erin McGreal Lain and her husband Gary of Solana Beach, CA; Brian McGreal and his wife Kim of Ashland; Ryan McGreal and Nick Geneseo of Hopkinton; Christine McGreal of Cocoa Beach, FL and Kelly McGreal of Framingham; her 9 great-grandchildren, Brianna McGreal (deceased), Michael McGreal, Christopher McGreal, Max McGreal, John Henry Lain, Charlie Lain, Jake McGreal Cameron Geneseo and Robert Mustakangas Jr. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Premo and his wife Josephine of Meriden, CT; her brother-in-law Francis McGreal and his wife Ginny of Framingham and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Dorothy (Premo) Landry and Robert Premo. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 9 AM from the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St, (Corner of Union Ave.) Framingham, followed by her funeral Mass at 10 AM in St. Stephen's Church, 251 Concord St. (Rt. 126), Framingham. Burial will follow in the family lot at St. Stephen Cemetery, Framingham. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday from 4 | 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association in Blanches memory. For online guest book and directions log on to www.nortonfuneralhome.com.