SCARBOROUGH — Blanche Marvette (Small) Cook, 107, Scarborough’s oldest resident and holder of the Boston Post Cane, died in Portland on June 7 after a brief illness.
She was born in Nashua, N.H., on Oct. 13, 1901, the oldest of five children born to Lillian and Joseph Small.
She grew up in North Pownal and attended local schools.
At age 16, she left home and moved to Portland to live with her aunt. Her first job was as a waitress at the Willows Hotel on Prout’s Neck in Scarborough.
On Jan. 18, 1927, she married John A. Cook in Portsmouth, N.H., and had one daughter, Lorraine. They lived in South Portland until 1947 when they moved to Scarborough.
When her daughter was older, she worked for Len Libby’s and for Libby’s Candies in Scarborough dipping chocolates. She later worked for Scarborough schools in the lunch program.
Her hobbies included taking bus trips, traveling, spending time with the many friends she made at various senior groups, and candlepin bowling. She particularly liked spending winters in Florida with her younger brother, J. Bernard Small, until his death in 2007. She was a lifelong Red Sox fan, and was overjoyed when they won the World Series in 2004, after waiting since 1918.
She was a member of the West Scarborough United Methodist Church, Nonesuch Senior Citizens, and a Life Member of the Order of Eastern Star.
She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, John, in 1978, and her siblings, Frances Mitchell, Orland Small, Robert Small, and J. Bernard Small.
Surviving are her daughter Lorraine and husband Leonard of Scarborough; two granddaughters, Leslie Chadbourne and husband Brian of Portland, and Lisa Nunley of Raymond; three great¬grandchildren, Elizabeth Nunley, K.C. Nunley, and Patrick Cheney; and one great-great granddaughter, Rayven Francois.
At her request, there will be no funeral services. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the West Scarborough United Methodist Church, 2 Church St., Scarborough, ME 04074.
Arrangements are by the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland.
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Blanche M. (Small) Cook
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