“Souls of faith are unshaken by all the events of life.” – Julie Billiart
Sister Mary Louise Blanchard entered into the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1953. “I think I was destined when I was a baby,” she shared with a laugh, recalling how, as an infant, her grandmother brought her to meet with the Sisters in Salem, Massachusetts.
Sister Mary Louise was a native of Salem, born there in 1932 to Samuel Blanchard and Mary (Loftus) Blanchard. She was one of three siblings. For her twelve years of school, she was taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame at St. James School in Salem. After high school, Sister Mary Louise worked for four years. Then, in 1953, she entered into the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at Waltham, Massachusetts. She earned her BA from Emmanuel College and her M. Ed. from Salem State.
After becoming a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, Sister Mary Louise went on to enjoy a long career as an educator, teaching at many schools in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Her first mission was at the Presentation School, in Brighton, Massachusetts. After this, she was sent to Salem, New Hampshire, to open St. Joseph’s School with Sister Mary Elizabeth Delaney, SNDdeN. Of all her ministries, this one stood out to her in particular, because of the sense of community she found there. She remained in contact with students from this time.
After this, Sister Mary Louise worked at many schools throughout Massachusetts, teaching 2nd grade through 8th grade. She was moved around a lot because she was one of the first Sisters to have her driver's license.
Reflecting at the time of her 70th Jubilee, she was grateful for her time as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, and in particular for the community in Ipswich, Massachusetts, where she now spent her retirement.
Sister Mary Louise Blanchard went home to her good God on May 6, 2025, at the age of 93.
Watch this video reflection taken at the time of Sister Mary Louise Blanchard's 70th Jubilee: