Maureen B. Bass, 63, of Manchester, NH died Friday, October 8, 2010 at Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA. She was born July 5, 1947 in Worcester, MA, a daughter of the late James J. and Mary A. (McIsaac) Blake. Maureen had an extensive career in education and her whole philosophy was "The children come first at all times." She was a teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Derry from 1972 - 1984 where she was given the Teacher of the Year Award and also directed plays there. She was a teacher for 9 years and then the Principal for four years at Hillsborough-Deering Middle School. Her career in education continued with her becoming Principal of Windham Center School in Windham in 1997 until her retirement in 2005. After her retirement, she volunteered to read to children at the schools in Windham. She was a member of NH Principals Assoc., National Reading Assoc. and the N. E. League of Middle Schools (NELMS).
She is survived by her daughter, Robin P. Bass of New York City, NY, her son Bernard J. Bass of Manchester, three sisters, Kathryn Lassiter of Jacksonville, FL, Elizabeth A. Blake of Hollywood, FL, Rita L. Briseno of Kona, HI, three brothers, Richard Blake of Fitchburg, MA, Lawrence T. Blake of Jacksonville, FL, James J. Blake Jr. of Pembroke Pines, FL, two aunts, Sr. Louise Thomas, SSJ of Holyoke, MA, Margaret Konkol of Worcester, MA, dear friend, Susan A. Guelli of Manchester, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours were held on Sunday October 10th from 4:00 - 8:00pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, NH. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday at 10:00am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Avenue, Derry, NH. Burial followed at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury, MA. Memorial contributions may be made in Maureen's memory to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mont Marie, 34 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke, MA 01040-2739 or to the Precious Blood Monastery, 700 Bridge Street, Manchester, NH 03104.