Jeanette Blake

by R. Rodgers

"Live everyday, work everyday, keep going everyday," smiles Jeanette Blake. Jeanette is an energetic Hudson Senior who never stops. Her day starts at 5:30 a.m. with hanging out the wash and reading the paper. "I read the paper every day; you got to keep in touch." Kayla, her granddaughter arrives at 6:00 a.m. for breakfast and to wait for the bus. "Her Dad Jay drops her off here and she goes to school from Grammy’s house," said Jeanette still with a big smile. Her ball of yarn is never far and every idle minute is taken up with crocheting.

Jeanette grew up in Chelmsford, Massachusetts the oldest in her family of five children. Born with only one hand, Jeanette has never found any task difficult. "I’ve been driving since I was 17; swimming, bowling, whatever I wanted to do I do well." Her passion is crocheting; scarves, afghans, hats, blankets scrunchies, you name it, if you can create it with a crochet hook she has, or is more than willing to try. She learned to crochet in the seventh grade, her teacher taught all the students the skill and she was no exception, unless you want to say she is exceptional at it! Her afghan creations are original and creative; her signature one has a happy clown with a little chick and a bright balloon. "I make afghans for the Seniors to raffle as well as VFW Memorial fundraisers. I’ll make for one for anyone who asks," says Jeanette, she never stops smiling. She is also an excellent seamstress, sewing everything from dresses to men’s suits and children’s outfits. With 5 children of her own, that talent always came in handy.

Jeanette and her husband, Cliff, of 50 years, live in Hudson on a quiet neighborhood street. "It’s like living in heaven, you never see anyone go by." The couple met through Cliff’s sister. "She was at my sister’s house one day and I asked her to go for ice cream and I’ve been taking her ever since," explains Cliff with his own smile for Jeanette. When they were first married they brought up their family in Lowell in a huge Victorian house. All the kids had their own rooms and Jeanette would spend her every moment with them. They did everything together, swimming was a favorite and she even roller skated with them into her fifties. Family camping trips were a frequent activity along with attending sporting events and musical shows. On one trip home from a wonderful camping weekend they returned home to find the house ransacked and many of their belongings missing. "I was so scared after that to live there, they took everything that wasn’t nailed down, the kid’s instruments, TV’s just everything. The whole house was a mess with drawers emptied, it was just awful." She feels much safer in Hudson. Two of her children also live in Hudson, Charlie and his family, and her youngest daughter Heather, Kayla’s mom. Heather, is much younger than the other children, and holds a special place in Jeanette’s heart. "Heather came to us later in life, she is so smart. She graduated with high honors from UNH and now she works in Boston." Heather’s commute starts early and Grammy is glad for the morning company of Kayla. Her oldest Barbara lives in Florida. Clifford Jr. still lives in Lowell with his family and runs his a plumbing business. Joanne is raising her family of two in Lowell and is a stay at home mom just like her mom.

Cliff ran his own plumbing business in Lowell and Jeanette kept the books for him. She has also delivered newspapers and done several office jobs. Now she enjoys her free time and spends a lot of it cooking. "I love to cook, I make my own candy, cinnamon cookies, oatmeal raisin nut cookies, everything," beams Jeanette. Her warm kitchen reflected lots of use and lots of love. She also attends Senior functions in Hudson and Merrimack. She and Cliff belong to two cribbage leagues and are mixed doubles Champions in their bowling league. All that and she has time to walk over 4 miles each day with her adopted greyhound Sarah. She loves country music and tries never to miss Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights. Of course, she listens with a crochet hook and a ball of yarn in hand.

Although it is under a blanket of deep snow right now, her yard is full of flower gardens. Both perennial and annual, the blossoms are just everywhere. "I always will take a snip of this or a small root of that on my walks. I got a beautiful foxglove one day it is taking over. I just love my garden." Jeanette has great passion for many things and her smile never leaves her face. She has one wish for Hudson, that is a Senior Center. "You should go the Center in Merrimack, it is wonderful and always open, what we have here is a disgrace," says Jeanette echoed by Cliff. They continue to live, work, and thrive every day with each other. Have you met Jeanette Blake?