Blanche I. (Clark) Nocella

Life is often defined and remembered by certain dates. The familiar poem 'The Dash' by Linda Ellis speaks of what we do with our lives between our date of birth and the date of death...referring to the dash. March 20, 1938 marked an important and happy day when Blanche and Olindo 'Lindy' Nocella were married in the rectory at St. Joseph's Church in San Jose, California. And on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 they celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary in heaven. Blanche died at home with family at her side on Wednesday. She was just one day shy of celebrating her 102nd birthday. Yet another wonderful date and celebration in heaven for Blanche and all those who have gone before.

On March 21, 1917 in Poplar, Montana, Blanche I. Clark was born the daughter of the late Benjamin F. and Fanny (Fryer) Clark. A graduate of Poplar High School she visited her older sister who was living in California. She met Cambridge native Olindo 'Lindy' Nocella who had relocated to the west coast. Shortly after marriage the familiar and familial ties to Lindy's native New England and Boston moved them back to Massachusetts where they settled in Cambridge, later moving to Waltham in 1963.

Outside of staying at home to raise her children she worked as a salesclerk for Jordan Marsh and later the Harvard Coop in Harvard Square before retiring in 1980.

A longtime member of Saint Luke's Church she was a member of its Ladies Sodality and the Catholic Daughters of America. Blanche enjoyed volunteering at Youville Gift Shop, reading, cooking, sewing and knitting.

In addition to her husband, Lindy she is predeceased by all her siblings, Frederick, Robert and James Clark, Irene Angelo, Lillian O'Grady, Frances Bengle.

She leaves her children, David L. Nocella (Susan) of Woburn and Suzanne M. Nocella of Waltham; her grandchildren, David L. Nocella Jr. (Brenda), Michael P. Nocella (Patricia), Kelly Anne Preble (Craig) and Stephen J. Nocella; great-grandchildren Jacquelyn Babb (Brad), Anthony Nocella (Katelyn Sawyer), Kyle, Connor and Cameron Preble, Michael and Nicholas Nocella, Alexandra and Ryan Celli; her great-great-grandchildren, Jayden and Asher; nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Blanche's life by gathering for calling hours from on Sunday, March 24th, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, (Rte. 20), Waltham and again on Monday at 10 am before leaving in procession to Saint Luke's Church, 132 Lexington Street, Belmont where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Watertown.

Memorials in her name may be made to Lt. Paul Sullivan Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 95, Watertown, MA 02471 or New Roads Catholic Community, Social Justice Ministry, 130 Common Street, Belmont, MA 02478.