Marilyn Grace Porada

Her parents, William A. and Doris M. (Cole) Blanchard welcomed their daughter into the world on February 20, 1939, in Rutland, VT. She moved to the area at the age of five, attending local schools, and was a 1957 graduate of Keene High School.

Marilyn worked as a claims adjustor with the National Grange Mutual Insurance Company for forty years. A job she truly loved and one that afforded her the opportunity to make many friends with over the years.

She had a passion for animals, and was a volunteer and served on the Board of Directors with the Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey, for thirty-five years. Marilyn loved to attended cat shows held throughout the area. She was also an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan.

She will be greatly missed by many, especially her dear friend, Lyn Packard with home she shared her home with; Lyn’s family who were like her own family, Rick and Jenifer LaBrecque, Michael LeBrecque and his family; her cousins, Eugene and Dianne Piurkowski, of Rindge, NH, Cecelia Lofton of Virginia; sister-in-law, Judy Blanchard of Maine; her close friends, Diane Hall of Swanzey, Dale Edson of Swanzey; and several other nieces, nephews and cousins. Her husband of 60 years, Peter J. Porada, Jr. predeceased Marilyn on October 27, 2016. A brother, William B. "Billy" Blanchard, and a cousin, Clifford Cole who was raised by Marilyn’s family, predeceased her.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful and compassionate care provided by Hospice during Marilyn’s final days.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday evening, March 4, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 5th at 11:00am in St. Margaret Mary Church, 33 Arch Street, Keene. Burial with committal prayers will follow the funeral mass in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Porada’s memory to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446; or to Hospice of HCS, PO Box 564, Keene, NH 03431.