Thelma S. Blake

Thelma S. Blake, 84, of Westford passed away peacefully Wednesday surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of the late Carl Blake, who was her soul mate. Thelma was born in Roque Bluffs, Maine, the daughter to the late Irving and Violet (Kilton) Smith. Thelma was raised and educated in Maine where she continued her career teaching high school English. Upon moving to Lexington, MA she became very involved with the Unitarian Church of Lexington. Besides her commitment to the church Thelma enjoyed playing bridge, tending to her day lilies, but most of all spending time with her late husband Carl and the rest of her family. Thelma is survived by four daughters Teresa Watts and her husband Dan of Bedford, Joyce Ryder and her husband Bob of Chelmsford, Ellen Leckband and her husband Craig of Westford, Laurie Benaloh and her husband Josh of Redmond, WA, a brother Allan Smith and his wife Gloria of Guilford, CT, ten grandchildren Amanda Carman and her husband Gregg, Sarah Cieplinski and her husband Mark, Carl Watts and his fiancée Nichole Beek, Kevin Watts and his girlfriend Kim Tooker, Michael Ryder, Heather Ryder and her husband Jake Buttrick, Chris Leckband, Cory Leckband, Deborah Benaloh, Steven Benaloh, and three great grandchildren Liliana Carman, Blake Cieplinski, and Brielle Carman.brServices for Thelma will be private.In lieu of flowers, contributions to CLASS Inc., 1 Parker St. Lawrence, MA 01843 would be deeply appreciated.? Thelma believed firmly in CLASS's mission, "redefining what's possible for people with disabilities", and she always loved to see how proud her grandson, Mike, was of his work there.