Elinor Jean (Maxwell) Blair

Elinor was born in Laconia, NH on January 3, 1928, to Victor and Edna (Bush) Maxwell and was the oldest of three children. Elinor spent part of her childhood in Jaffrey, NH, where she met the love of her life, Henry Blair. They were married for over 60 years and were the parents of two children, Jim Blair and Linda Ward.

Elinor attended schools in Winchester, NH and graduated from Winchester High School in 1945. She worked at several offices in the Keene area including the Grange, the Guernsey Cattle Club, Monadnock Regional High School, Keene High School and the Cheshire Vocational Center.

Her family was most important to Elinor, and she spent many days making special memories for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was proud of her home and enjoyed entertaining. Holiday celebrations were her specialty, and she would host everyone several times a year with festive decorations, beautiful dinnerware and delicious treats. She enjoyed many adventures, from rides in the Buick Wildcat convertible to Silver Ranch to get ice cream, to camping trips in Vermont and New Hampshire, biking along the Cape Cod Canal, or extended stays in Florida. She enjoyed antiquing and adding to her many collections. In recent years, she enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars and the Red Sox.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Linda and David Ward of Antrim, NH; her daughter-in-law, Virginia Royce of Winchester; her granddaughters Stephanie Hassapes, Vanessa Parent, Allison Parent and Kristen Howe; great-grandchildren Johan Mansson, Hannah Mastaler, Kyle McMahon, and Olivia and Dylan Hassapes; as well as step-grandchildren, step-great- grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, her son, her sister Beverly Maxwell and her brother Bill Maxwell.

Elinor’s family would like to extend their gratitude to Havenwood Heritage Heights and Bayada Hospice for the loving care that was given to Elinor while she was in Concord.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 10:30 to 11:30am at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. A funeral service will begin at 11:30am at the funeral home. Burial with committal prayers will follow the service in the Evergreen Cemetery, Richmond Road, Winchester.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.