Simonne Blanchard Zayat

Simonne Blanchard Zayat, 95, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2008. She was born in Quebec Canada, and lived in Rhode Island for the greater part of her life. She was the widow of Oliva Blanchard; and Louis Zayat; and was also preceded in death by two grandsons. She is survived by five children, son, Roger Blanchard and wife, Kathy, of Maryland; daughters, Helene Blanchard Castellane, of Daleville, Sylvia Blanchard Duncan, of New Jersey, Yvonne Blanchard Manuel and husband, Charles, of South Carolina, and Beatrice Blanchard Smith and husband, Terry, of Bedford County; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one greatgreat-grandchild; and also special friend, Mary Bryant. Simonne was the last of the 10 children in the Coutu family. Memorials may be made to the St. Andrew's Catholic Church Building Fund, 631 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke, Va. 24016. Funeral Mass will be celebrated noon on Saturday, November 22, 2008, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church with Msgr. Thomas Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 21, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.