Mrs. Noreen Blair

Noreen Blair (nee Jenkins) died peacefully at home on April 7, 2024. Born March 22, 1939 in Augusta, ME to Milo A. and Minnie Weeks Jenkins, she attended Williams and Farrington Grammar Schools and Cony High School graduating in 1957. At Cony she was a proud member of the marching band and enjoyed following the football team to its various games. Her first secretarial position was in Washington, DC working for then senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. She also worked in Washington in the Economics Department of the World Bank. In 1960 she moved back to Augusta and worked briefly at Central Maine Power Company in the Legal Department and then at the Social Security Administration as a secretary and receptionist. In 1962 she went back to school and spent a year at Berkshire Christian College, Lenox, MA. She later worked at E.D. Jones in Dalton, MA. After her marriage to James N. Blair on October 10, 1964 she worked several places in part-time positions. She was part-time secretary at Hope Church, Lenox, MA for several years where she was a member. She and her husband also ran a part-time business called "The Written Word" that provided secretarial and computer services to local residents. Noreen’s love of music was infectious. She played multiple instruments and often played the organ at church services. She sang in the church choir and at times in small groups. She also kept up with a vast social network that gave her much positive energy. Genealogy was Noreen's chief hobby and many wonderful hours were spent doing research. Through her mother, she was able to trace the line back to William the Conqueror. While she had some wonderful finds, she also hit brick walls, but it was always a wonderful hobby. She leaves her husband of 59 years, and their three children – Liesl (Todd) Sieger of Aloha, OR; Shawn (Susan Yavaniski) Blair of Cohoes, NY; and Major Trent Blair (USAF) and his wife Captain Erika Volino (USAF) of San Angelo, TX as well as a granddaughter, Haven Rose Blair of Camillus, NY. She also leaves several cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Beverly Louise Jenkins, who died in 1937. All services will take place at Hope Church, 259 Kemble St., Lenox, MA. Calling hours 4pm-6pm Thursday April 18, 2024 followed by a funeral service at 10am Friday April 19, 2024. Burial at Center Cemetery, Richmond, MA will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dr. Russell & Beth White with World Gospel Missions in Kenya, c/o the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240.

Mrs. Noreen Blair

March 22, 1939 - April 7, 2024