Dolores J. Blish

Dolores J. Blish CLAREMONT, NH -Dolores J. Blish, age 91 of Claremont, passed away peacefully with her daughter beside her on August 26, 2023 after a very courageous battle with cancer. She was born June 24, 1932 to the late Antionio and Marie Hardy. Dodie grew up in Claremont most of her life but as a teenager spent wonderful times in Quebec, Canada with her sister Toni, until her family returned to Claremont. She worked in different areas throughout her life in Claremont but spent many years working at Wonder Bread on Washington Street, Claremont NH, with her sister-in-law Bea Tebo. They shared a love of seeing the people and interacting with the community. She married Kenneth Blish on New Years Eve, 1955. He was the love of her life. They shared their life building numerous homes in the Claremont and Cornish areas before setting on their retirement home across from their daughter in Claremont. Dodie’s love of art lead her to painting early in her life with her sister Pauline. Her hobby led her to opening a small Art studio in downtown Claremont where local artists could sell their paintings. She established “Red Hat Studio” with her paintings, naming it after her mother because she loved the color red and loved wearing hats. Her paintings were purchased and shipped all over the world, but she was most happy when she could paint for a family member or friend. She attributed her love of art from her father who was an accomplished theatrical painter and artist. To Dodie, nothing was more important than family, coming from a family of 7 siblings. Her son Slugger and daughter Deborah filled her world with love and affection, and she always said she loved them deeper than the oceans, and higher than the mountains. Her two grandchildren, Danyle and Abraham brought so much love and laughter into her life. Living next door to her daughter, she enjoyed her retirement watching her grandchildren grow up and pamper them. She had several nieces and nephews who adored her as the matriarch of the family. She received calls daily from one nephew from California and calls often from other family members just to reminisce with her, as she shared stories of her siblings and growing up. Nothing filled her heart more than phone calls with her siblings, and when she became the last surviving member of her family she often referred to herself as “the last of the Mohicans”. Dodie had a special daily ritual of always lighting a tea candle and placing it in front of her precious Blessed Mother statue that was her mother’s. She said a prayer for loved ones and friends or strangers she might have heard needed extra prayers in their lives each and every morning. She was adamant this ritual continues on in her family. She is survived by her daughter, Deboarh Snelling and husband Larry, grandchildren, Abraham Snelling and Danyle Morse and husband Jim, and a very special person, Lorena Clay who was like a granddaughter to her as well as many nieces and nephews on the Hardy side and Blish side of the families. Dodie was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth and son, Robert “Slugger”. Dodie was most grateful for the special care she received from the Visiting Nurses Association, with warm regards to Hospice Chaplin Elisabeth and Nurse Sabrena. The family will receive family and friends at Stringer Funeral Home, 146 broad Street in Claremont on September 1st, from 10 to 11AM. A service will be held at the Funeral Home at 11AM. Burial will follow in West Claremont Burying Ground. Reception to follow at the Methodist Church on Summer Street after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Lake Sunapee VNA and Hospice, P.O. Box 2209, New London, NH 03257. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.