Obituary of Marguerite (Rita) Blanchard Quintrell

Schenectady- Marguerite (Rita) Blanchard Quintrell, 94, passed peacefully on March 3, 2023 after a long, fulfilling life. 

Born and raised in Albany, NY to her late parents Clyde and Jennie (Travis) Woodard. 

In 1947, she married Walter J. Blanchard Sr. Together they raised their family in Schenectady, NY and later in life moved to Florida, where they lived in Pinellas Park and Brooksville, Florida. 

Rita always enjoyed cooking up a storm.  She was at one time employed at the Pinellas Park Middle School working in the cafeteria.  She was so happy doing that.

In her early years married to Walter, they became foster parents.  They enjoyed helping children and older children have a happy family.  Rita, along with Walt also made room in their home to raise her sisters and brother and everyone else’s siblings.   Always enough food and enough room.

In 1992, her beloved Walter passed away.

Marguerite always had a strong faith. She was a devoted parishioner of Christ Church Episcopal-Schenectady and then later in Florida at St. Johns Episcopal where she was active in church activities and organizations. In her spare time, she enjoyed knitting and crocheting. 

Rita found love again with E. William Quintrell, Jr.  they were married for 20 years before his passing in 2015. After his passing, she moved back home to New York. 

Rita was always very loving and caring.

Rita’s family will always remember the family gatherings.   Always lots of laughter and lots of food.  Holidays were always big occasions for Rita. 

In addition to her parents Marguerite was predeceased by her siblings, Dorothy Woodard, Eunice Winters, Flora Doyle and William Woodard; and her cherished son, Walter James Blanchard Jr., and her granddaughter Rosemary J. Gillette.

To continue her memory are her daughters, Kathryn (David) Gillette (Missouri) and Patricia Boyer (Lee Rasmussen) (Wisconsin) and Doris (Martin) Calderon (Florida); stepson, Merrill Quintrell; grandchildren, Denise (Ronald) Sheridan, Christopher (Nadia) Gillette, Lori Yaklovich (Eric Sommer), William Hoppert, James Hoppert, Jenni (Scott) Herman, Amy (Michel) Nehme, Richard (Ann) Gillette, Lisa Calderon Haun, Kevin Calderon and Sarah Calderon; as well as 13 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren. Rita is also survived by her sister Charlotte Woodard Eggleston Seim, daughter-in-law Mildred Blanchard  along with several nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to especially thank Rita’s nephew- Michael Doyle and his partner Charlie Bertolino, Jr. for visiting Rita when the family wasn’t able to be there.

Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 912 NYS Route 146, Clifton Park, with a funeral service immediately following.

 After the service the family request you join them for a celebration of Rita’s life in the parish center at the church.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marguerite’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840, 692, Dallas, TX 75284 and St. George’s Episcopal Church ,912 NYS Route 146 Clifton, Park, NY 12065.

Online condolences may be made by visiting, www.glenvillefuneralhome.com.