Geraldine J. Blackler

Geraldine Jeane (Smith) Blackler, 82, of Greenfield, died November 12, 2006 at Catholic Medical Center. She was born in North Adams, MA on December 4, 1923, the daughter of Ralph and Frances (Lee) Smith and had resided in the Peterborough and Greenfield area for most of her adult life. During World War II, she worked as an encryption communications specialist at the Boston Navel Shipyard. She joined Peterborough Savings Bank in 1968 and in 1984, was promoted to Vice President of Operations, retiring in 1993. She was the widow of Michael Blackler, Sr., who died in 2001. She enjoyed sewing and knitting and taught these crafts for 4 H Club. She also loved to read and garden, and was a volunteer with Monadnock Family Services. In Her Life: Family members include a son, Michael Blackler, Jr., of Bedford; two daughters, Elizabeth Brotherton of Weare and Philomena Blackler of Milford; five grandchildren, Brett Blackler of New Ipswich, Rorick Behrle of Weare, Dan Blackler, Mikaela Blackler and Brianna Blackler, all of Bedford; three great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Blackler and Shelby Blackler, both of New Ipswich and Haiden Behrle of Weare; two brothers, Eugene Smith of Ossipee and Charles Smith of Little Rock, AR; and several nephews, nieces and cousins. A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday from 10 to 11 AM at the Cremation Society of NH, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester with a memorial service to follow in the chapel at 11:00. Urn burial will take place in Bedford Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Residential Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 03801. For more information or to view an on-line memorial or order flowers, go to www.csnh.com.