Nancy Blakely

Woodstock, CT - Nancy B. Blakely, of Port St. Lucie, FL, formerly of Woodstock, went to live with the Lord on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Nancy was the daughter of William and Lea Blakely of Wheelwright, MA. She was married to Albert L. Simonds in Southbridge, MA on November 14, 1951. In 1952, she and husband Al established Linemaster Switch Corporation in Woodstock. Nancy owned, and was president of Linemaster until her retirement in 2002.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Iris Simonds of Las Vegas, NV and son Jose Martinez of Del Rio, TX. In addition to her children she leaves five grandchildren; Michael Egan, Colleen Warnick (Jason), Nicolas Hinderliter, Jose A. Martinez and Marissa Beal, and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Bertha B. Dresser. Along with her husband Al, Nancy was predeceased by her sisters; Mae and Irene Blakely, and her brothers; William, John, and Lincoln Blakely.

Nancy was well known in the Northeast corner for her involvement with, and generous contributions to, numerous charitable organizations. Nancy was most proud of the scholarship fund she established at QVCC in memory of her late husband, Al Simonds. She was a member of St. Columba Anglican Church in Dudley, MA. She was active in Rotary International and the NECT Chamber of Commerce.

In her leisure, Nancy enjoyed traveling and visited many exciting, beautiful places. She also had a great love for the ocean, either swimming in it, or being on it, in one of her yachts; the IXTAPA and the NANSIRIS. If she couldn't be at the ocean she was never far from water. Nancy was an excellent swimmer and enjoyed swimming year round at her home in Woodstock. Nancy also loved the beauty of flowers, which was obvious to anyone who visited Linemaster from early spring through late fall. As a "hands-on" owner of Linemaster, Nancy loved celebrating special events; she made sure there were cakes for her employees' birthdays, held elaborate summer parties for her employees and decorated Linemaster and her home, both inside and out, for the Christmas season, with impeccable taste.

There will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held on April 23, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Trinity Church on Hamilton Street, in Southbridge, MA.

 Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, in Southbridge, MA, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy's memory to St. Columba Anglican Church, 604 Route 197, Woodstock, CT 06281 or the American Cancer Society , 825 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.