WEBSTER - Blanche A (Nadeau) Fiddes, 88, died Monday, October 7, 2024 with family at her side. Her beloved husband of 65 years, Donald A. “Chick” Fiddes, died last November.
Blanche leaves a daughter, Julie Hewey and her husband, Lewis of Dudley; a son, Gregg Fiddes and his wife Xuyen of San Diego; 4 grandchildren, Kristen Proulx and her husband Paul, Kaylyn Pinto and her husband Robert, Justin Fiddes and his wife Lexi, and Alyssa Fiddes and her fiancé Eli; 3 great-grandchildren, Bryce, Chase, and Liliana. She was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Robert and Richard Nadeau.
Blanche was born in Webster on November 25, 1935, the daughter of Elzear and Alice (Genest) Nadeau. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1953 and continued her studies at Worcester State College, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. She lived in Webster for most of her life and then moved to Venice, FL for 20 years, returning to Webster in 2016.
Blanche was a standout student in high school and college and was proud that she earned her master’s degree after having children - she always thanked “Chick” for encouraging and supporting her to do this. She taught grade 5 remedial reading as well as enrichment classes in the Webster School system for over 25 years. Her teaching touched the lives of many students as she always strove to make learning fun, a skill she cared deeply about and mastered.
Blanche was an accomplished pianist: she not only played exceptionally well but also gave piano lessons and conducted piano recitals. She was fluent in French and loved conversing in French with the many in-person and online friends she accumulated over the years. Forever a self-learner, she was an avid reader.
Blanche cherished both her grandchildren and the many lifelong “teacher friends and family” that she made in the Webster schools. “Memere” or “Mems,” as she was affectionately known to her family, was an outstanding chef and enjoyed making lasagna and her famous French meat pie, recipes that she learned from her beloved mother Alice. Her family will always remember her for her laser-sharp mind, non-stop lifelong learning passion, copious Scrabble skills and love of illusion pictures and their meanings. Later in life, she was blessed with her great-grandchildren and would always talk endearingly about them to all that would listen. We couldn’t have asked for a better mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and wife, and we will miss her every day.
Many thanks and blessings to the pastoral staff at Notre Dame in Worcester. Blanche had a warm spot in her heart for all those at Notre Dame that helped her so much in her later life and brought her back to the church, which was very meaningful to her.
A private graveside service for Donald and Blanche will be held at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. Donations in their memory may be made to the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council, 4 Veterans Way Webster MA, 01570
Arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster.