Edma Ann Marie (Routhier) Blais

Mission accomplished! On January 24, 2017, our Lord called his top angel back to heaven, after serving Him here on Earth since September 21, 1921. Edmas work here is done. No one knows what her next assignment will be, but we are sure it will involve some sort of reorganization of heavenly procedures and reuniting with family and friends she has not seen in a long time. Especially our dad, whom she has missed for over 31 years. They were married July 6, 1942, and he passed away January 19, 1985. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Vincent de Paul Nursing Home for the compassionate and vigilant care they have provided for our mom over the past 4 years. Edma was born in Berlin, the daughter of the late Arthur and Delphine (Samson) Routhier, and was a lifelong resident, residing most of her life at 88 High St. Besides her husband Herve, she was predeceased by all of Herves siblings, Uncles Paul, Valerien, Marcil, Constant, and Aunt Priscilla (Blais) Vaillancourt. Also, her brother-in-law Norman Valliere, her best friend Doris Langlois, and many other relatives and friends. Edma went to school in Berlin, then to Rivier College where she received secretarial, bookkeeping, and accounting training, along with acquiring the most beautiful handwriting and speedy typewriter skills, that she would use during her professional career. She not only worked full time, as a bookkeeper at Hodgdon Oil, WBRL, then Blais Wholesale, she also raised a family of three boys. She retired in 1987, but continued to work as a part-time bookkeeper at St. Anne (Good Shepherd Parish), where she was a long standing communicant. Devoted to her faith and family, she prayed for her three sons every day. Edma was a very hard working, considerate, Faithful, and fun loving woman. She was a most respected role model to all. We miss her already. Edma was a dedicated member of The North Country Community Concert Association, and more recently the Berlin Kiwanis Club, where she truly enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie. She loved entertaining guests at her home and cherished family gatherings. She will be remembered for all of her hard work and commitment to her family, her infectious smile and laughter, her lead foot, and Christmas eggnog. Her favorite television programs were always comedies, which she would watch while performing all of her household tasks. Multi-tasking, was yet a concept, but at which, Edma was extremely skillful. Some of her hobbies were, completing the daily Crossword and Sudoku puzzles, but greatly enjoyed and looked forward to her weekly, Saturday evening card games with friends. When she was younger, her favorite destination was the beach, and she was an avid swimmer. Her beautiful life will forever be remembered and cherished by her three sons, grand-children and great grandchildren: Pierre (Joyce) Blais and their family Jeff (Jenn) Barry, Nathaniel and Peter Blais; Paul (Susan) Blais and their family Shane (Carrie) Blais and Zachary and Rebecca Blais, Ernie (Jessica) Blais and Kaelyn and Abigail Blais, Randy (Katrina) Blais and Alex Fysh, Grayson and Gage Blais, Jennifer Blais and fiance Shawn Williams and Aiden and Ari Booth; Philippe (Patricia) Blais and their family Kathryn Blais, Aaron Blais and companion Katie Houle and Karly Blais. She is also survived by a sister, Alice Valliere and her sons Roger Valliere of Indiana and Claude Valliere of Maryland; sisters-in-law Doris Blais of Manchester and Irene Blais of Berlin; many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday January 27, 2017 at 10 AM at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish. Interment will be in St. Anne Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM.