Lauralyn Watson Blanchard

Lauralyn Watson Blanchard, aged 92, a lifelong resident of West Hartford, Connecticut, died peacefully on February 24, 2026, in the town where she was born on November 29, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Edna Russell Watson and Herbert George Watson, and a proud third-generation West Hartford resident.

Lauralyn graduated from Hall High School in 1951 and from Bates College in 1955. At Bates, she served as President of the Student Government, a dorm proctor, and was a member of the Bates Key Honorary Society. She later completed graduate coursework in education at Trinity College. Following college, Lauralyn taught in the West Hartford School System for four years.

On June 19, 1959, she completed her final day of teaching and the next day, June 20, 1959, she married the love of her life, Bradford Martin Blanchard, MD. The newlyweds moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Dr. Blanchard completed a year of residency in Neurology at the University of Michigan, while Lauralyn taught at the Hospital's school for long-term pediatric patients.

After returning to West Hartford, Lauralyn "Lynn" and Brad had four children and became deeply engaged in civic, cultural, and philanthropic life. Lynn joined the Junior League and devoted decades to volunteer leadership. She was a Board Member and President of the Hartford Hospital's Junior Auxiliary, Co-Chair of the Hospital Follies, and Chair of the annual Toy Tea. She also served on the boards of the YMCA, Hartford Symphony Auxiliary, West Hartford School of Music (as Board member and officer for 15 years), and the Hartford Tennis Club.

Music was a lifelong passion of hers, that she joyfully passed on to her four children. She sang in her high school and church choirs, performed with the Bates College Concert and Solo Choir, and was a member of the Hartford Chorale for 15 years, serving as Vice President and officer while continuing to sing in her church choir. She was instrumental in founding and co-chairing the Hartford School of Music's "Maestros on Parade" fundraiser. Most importantly, she set numerous practice timers at dueling pianos and never missed a band concert or instrument recital, taking equal pride in a great solo or an unexpected squeak.

Professionally, Lynn taught English as a Second Language, worked for eight years with a Hartford personnel agency specializing in women's employment counseling, and later served as Resident Activities Director at Duncaster in Bloomfield, Connecticut. She loved a good book, was a Master Gardener, sported a mean lefty backhand, and adored spending summers on Lake Sunapee. To say she was a devoted fan of the UConn Women Huskies would be an understatement, as she knew each player's name, history, and on-court stats. Her predictable presence at countless hockey games was unwavering into her 90's, and she was a beautiful skater in her own right.

Lynn was predeceased by her husband, Brad Blanchard, who practiced Internal Medicine in West Hartford and served for many years as President of the Hartford Medical Society, and her brother George Watson (Marilyn) of Massachusetts. She is survived by her four children: Susan Martin Blanchard of Springfield, New Hampshire; Lisa Blanchard DeConto of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and her husband Richard DeConto; Pamela Blanchard Harrington of Darien, Connecticut, and her husband Anthony Harrington; Jeffrey Blanchard and his wife Sarah Whitney Blanchard of West Hartford. She is also survived by her nine beloved grandchildren: Will, Anne, and Laura "Liddy" DeConto; Jack, Kate, and Natalie Harrington; Ned, Brad, and Chuck Blanchard.

Lauralyn will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, quick mind, and quiet leadership; her deep commitment to family and community; her love of music and learning; her sense of humor and her gracious ways; and her lifelong desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Friday, April 10, 2026 at 11:00am in the chapel of First Church of Christ Congregational, 12 South Main St, West Hartford. Donations in her memory may be made to: The McAuley Chorus, 275 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT 06117. Her children would like to thank the incredible caregivers who gave her loving attention and endless kindness in her final years of life including Dianne, Kareen, Enid, Jackie, James, and countless others.