Eleanor Rita Purtell Blazon

Eleanor Rita Purtell Blazon passed away peacefully on September 22, 2020 after a long, full, and active life. She was born on May 22, 1925, to Thomas Purtell and Helen Normandy Purtell in Lowell, Massachusetts. She graduated from Lowell High School as a member of the National Honor Society and with high honors from Lowell Technological Institute. In May 1947, she married Albert R. (Bert) Blazon, and they raised three children in Dracut, Massachusetts. She worked as office manager and accountant for Goldman & Curtis law firm and then as a teacher of Social Studies in Lowell, in addition to working in the family florist business.

Eleanor gave much of her time volunteering for nonprofit organizations. She was a member of the Girl Scout organization for over 65 years with a Certificate of Lifetime Membership. For many years she volunteered with the Girl Scouts as a leader and then as president of the Greater Lowell Girl Scout Council and the Merrimack River Girl Scout Council. She became a communicator for the National Board of Directors of the Girl Scout organization in the United States. She was a charter member of the Juliette Low Birthplace Circle of Friends, and was presented with a Thanks Badge, the highest honor awarded to an adult volunteer.

She was a charter member of The Altrusa Club of Greater Lowell, president of the club, Chairman of the District One Community Service Committee, and a member of Altrusa International Community Service Committee. She was a board member of the University of Lowell Foundation, Alternative House for abused women, Ladies of Merrimack College and PTAs of her children's schools. She worked with the children's CCD religion program and was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Michael Church.

At their vacation home in Locke Lake Colony, Barnstead, NH, she served several terms on the board of Directors of the HOA. She led classes in line dancing and bridge and was president and treasurer of the Locke Lakers. At St. Paul Church she was a Eucharistic Minister.

With her husband and children, she traveled across the U. S. stopping at many National Parks and historical monuments. She was a world traveler, having visited over 35 countries on 6 continents. She used her slides and experiences in her Geography classes which delighted her students. Sometimes she brought back small coins for them. Eleanor loved travel, bridge, dancing, cooking, sewing, and reading. She enjoyed the theater and symphony. She was intelligent, a loyal and supportive friend, energetic, optimistic, generous and helpful.

Eleanor moved to Dallas in 1997 at the persuading of her sister, and became involved in activities. She became a member of the North Dallas Woman's Club and served on the Board of Directors as Bridge Chairman. She chaired Round Robin Bridge and was a member of 4th Wednesday Bridge. She had been a member of The North Dallas Golden K Kiwanis Club and was Fundraising Chairman. She was honored by the Kiwanis International Foundation to The George F. Hixson Fellowship. She also belonged to The Crane Book Club and was its President and Treasurer. She was a doll collector and had been a member of the Metrocrest Doll Club, Dallas, and the United Federation of Doll Collectors.

An active member of St. Rita Catholic Community, she served St. Jude & St. Bridget Circle as Treasurer and Chairman of the St. Rita Marathon Bridge. She held membership in The Good Samaritans, Outreach Angels, Thursday Afternoon Bible Study, Intermezzos and Yellow Rose.

She is survived by sons Roger P. Blazon of Newburyport, MA, and Gary M. Blazon of Sullivan, Maine, and daughter MaryEllen (Paul) Gustafson of Moraga, CA, four grandchildren, Elizabeth Cunningham, Kevin Gustafson, Laura Gustafson and Kaili Blazon, and two great grandchildren Parker and Ashlyn Cunningham. She is also survived by a brother, Richard Purtell and a sister, Barbara Herrold, as well as two sisters-in-law Catherine and Sara Purtell and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert R. Blazon who died in 1987, her parents, brothers Donald Purtell and Thomas Purtell, sisters Phyllis Johnson of Dallas and Elizabeth Belanger.

Sincere thanks to the many generous friends who provided assistance and transportation for Eleanor, and to the staff at The Tradition Prestonwood: a big thank you for their help and caring.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Rita Catholic church, 12521 Inwood Rd., Dallas, TX, on Wednesday, October 7 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Albert and Eleanor Blazon Memorial Fund, Dracut Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 117, Dracut, MA 01826, or The St. Rita Catholic Church Building Fund, or The Retina Foundation of the Southwest, 9500 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75231.