Suzanne J. Blanchfield

Suzanne Jeanne (Roy) Blanchfield, 77, of Manchester, NH, passed away on June 19, 2025, following a courageous battle with multiple health challenges.

Born on February 20, 1948, in Manchester, NH, Suzanne was the eldest of seven children of the late Roger and Claire (Courchesne) Roy. She was raised on the city’s West Side, where she attended St. Edmund’s School and later graduated from Manchester West High School in 1966. She went on to earn her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree from Notre Dame College in Manchester.

Suzanne began her career in nursing, working in various roles across several states. She later returned to New England, where she met her future husband, David Blanchfield, in Massachusetts. They were married on January 31, 1976, and ultimately settled in New Hampshire. They had two sons - Joshua in 1979 and Craig in 1981. Suzanne stayed home during their early years and provided unwavering support to her family.

In the 1990s, Suzanne made a midlife career change, returning to Rivier College to pursue a degree in education. With characteristic determination, she balanced coursework, work, and family responsibilities and, at the age of 51, became a full-time social studies teacher at her alma mater, Manchester West High School. Her second career in education spanned 15 years and included impactful work in both general and special education.

Suzanne’s dedication to her students and passion for learning led her to develop and propose two new elective courses—Middle East Studies and Chinese/Far East Studies—both of which were approved by the school board and became popular offerings. She was known for her curiosity, courage, and commitment to high standards, traits that earned her deep respect from students and colleagues alike.

After retiring, Suzanne and David traveled extensively across the United States, visiting family and exploring the country together. Despite her retirement, she continued to speak fondly of her students and teaching career.

Suzanne’s life was marked by service, moral clarity, and fierce devotion to her family. She advocated fiercely for her sons, often behind the scenes, and embodied a resilient, principled, and compassionate spirit throughout her life.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, David Blanchfield; her two sons, Joshua and Craig; and her eight grandchildren: Nolan, Lucia, Charlotte, Asha, Craig Jr., Salvador, Colin, and Clara. She also leaves behind her siblings, Sylvia Jerzyk, Cheryl LeBlanc, Margie Landry, David Roy, and Arthur “Chip” Roy, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Roger and Claire Roy; her brother, Andrew Roy; and brothers-in-law, Barry Jerzyk and David LeBlanc.

Suzanne will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend. Her strength, wry sense of humor, and generosity will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

SERVICES: There will be a memorial gathering from 1:00 to 2:30 pm on Friday, June 27, 2025 at Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street, in Manchester, NH. A memorial service will follow in the funeral home chapel at 2:30PM.

Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium assisted the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to https://phaneuf.net/