SPRUCE HEAD — Charlotte Joy Blanchard, of Spruce Head, Maine, passed away suddenly but peacefully, with family by her side, on December 31, 2023, from complications of cancer.

Charlotte was born on September 7, 1952, to Clyde Elmer Joy and Viola Beverage Joy, on North Haven Island, where she had many happy memories of island life. She moved with her family to Camden at age 9, and graduated from Camden Rockport High School in 1970.

After graduation, Charlotte went to work at Tibbetts Industries in Camden, where she met her forever love, Senior Blanchard. In 1972 the two moved to a tiny fixer-upper on a muddy dirt road in Spruce Head, and were married there on October 10, 1975. In 1976 they welcomed their daughter, Jessica Joy Blanchard, and in 1978, their son, Geof Russell Blanchard. Together they built the home where they remained for over 50 years, and eventually shared with her beloved grandsons. She loved tending to the many flower gardens she worked hard to build, and later in life took pride in being a “chicken farmer”.

While her children were young, Charlotte was an incredible stay-at-home mom, teacher, and mentor. But she never forgot her teenage dream of becoming a nurse, and in 1990 she graduated from Southern Maine Vocational and Technical Institute and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She enjoyed a 30 year career at the Knox Center for Long Term Care, where she was a night shift charge nurse. She loved all the patients she cared for as well as her fellow night shift staff.

Charlotte was predeceased by her husband, Senior, in 2021. She is also predeceased by her older sister, Betty Quill; and her nephew Lance Duggan.

Surviving her are her two children, Jessie and Geof; her grandson Riley Eugene Newton and his dad Jon Newton, of Rockland; her grandson Henry Senior Blanchard and his mom Kelly Blanchard of Spruce Head; and her grandson Jackson Allen, of Portland, Oregon.

She is also survived by her brother, James Joy of Brunswick, Maine; her sister Jennifer Marshall, of Camden, Maine; her sister Carlene Joy, of the Southwestern US, and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews.

She will be greatly missed by an untold number of neighbors, co-workers, and special friends. She will especially be missed by her goofy dog, Heidi, and a bunch of spoiled hens.

Per Charlotte’s request, there will be no services. Memories and condolences may be shared at directcremationofmaine.com.