Evelyn B. Blair

Evelyn Bennett Blair, a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, sadly passed away on March 12, 2025 at the age of 99 at the Hillsborough County Nursing Home in Goffstown, NH.

Evelyn was born on January 2, 1926 in Manchester N.H. to the late Frank and Mabel (Wike) Bennett. After graduation from Manchester West High School, class of 1943, Evelyn married Donald S. Blair. Together they raised three children and shared 49 years of marriage prior to Donald’s passing in 1994.

Evelyn was a very spiritual person, for many years a member of South Main Street Congregational Church (later Faithbridge Church), where Evelyn taught Sunday school, attended bible study groups and served on numerous church committees.

Always carrying herself with grace, class and dignity, Evelyn was also a very outgoing person with a large network of friends from within her various social circles, including her church family and her neighbors in Bedford, NH where she resided for 61 years. And boy, did Evelyn love to go shopping! For many years, not a Thursday night would go by where she wasn’t out with friends to shop at all the clothing stores on Elm St. in Manchester, looking for the latest fashions, but also the bargains. Frequently sporting her trademark leopard attire, bright red nail polish and gold ankle bracelet, her granddaughter's affectionately proclaimed her “stylin” Nana Evie. Her positivity, infectious smile, advice, words of wisdom, encouragement and compassion was only matched by her inner strength and faith. Later in her life, Evelyn also enjoyed many years of special companionship with her late friend Paul Cochran, a true gentleman who was welcomed with open arms into our family. Evelyn will be sorely missed by all who loved her and those fortunate to know her. Heaven just welcomed another Angel!

Evelyn is survived by her daughter Bonnie Keenan and husband Robert, her son Bruce Blair, and son Scott Blair and his wife Debbie; her seven grandchildren, Courtney, Ashley, Brittany, Scott, Emily, Frank and Jennifer; and her 14 great grandchildren, Brayden, Cameron, Jackson, Samantha, Maxwell, Grace, Maeve, Eleanor, Emmet, David, Ella, Abby, Matty and Willow.

SERVICES: Services for Evelyn will be held on Monday, March 17th at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 250 Coolidge Ave., Manchester, NH, with a calling hour from 11:00 am until noon and funeral service from noon - 1:00 PM. Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester immediately following the services.

The family would like to extend their appreciation for the care and compassion extended to Evelyn while a resident at the Villager Assisted Living Retirement Home, both the skilled care and long term care units at Hillsborough County Nursing Home as well as Home, Health and Hospice in Merrimack, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Evelyn’s memory may be made to the Villager Assisted Living Activity Fund, 50 N. Mast Street, Goffstown, NH 03045.