Felicia Hidish Blanchard

NORWAY – Felicia Hidish Blanchard passed away peacefully on Jan. 14, 2026, at Stephen’s Memorial Hospital in Norway, Maine. She was being treated for heart issues when she passed.

She was born on June 28, 1943, to Alexander Joseph Hidish and Helen Kosarovich in Portland, Maine, and lived in Portland for the vast majority of her life.

She graduated from Portland High School in 1961 and attended Northeastern Business College in Portland for one year. She married Newman Thomas Blanchard, Jr. on March 8, 1969. They had one son and no other children. They divorced in 1973.

Felicia had a long and happy career of working for many businesses. For more than 30 years, she worked as a billing clerk at three different trucking companies: Hemingway Trucking, Sanborn’s Motor Express, and APA Transport. She also worked part-time at Cumberland Farms for more than 10 years. She was also employed briefly by the Portland Press Herald (as a newspaper carrier), Waldenbooks, and Borders Books. She also liked socializing and setting up at flea markets in the 1980s. She especially liked setting up at the Scarborough Downs Flea Market.

She enjoyed traveling with her son all over the United States and Europe, going on cruises, gambling at the Oxford Casino, and reading.

She was predeceased by her parents; her twin sister, Antoinette Blais of Lewiston; and by her niece Kimberly Clarke of Missouri.

She is survived by her son, Craig Blanchard; her older sister, Elsie Clarke of Missouri; three nieces, Jackie Bernier of Auburn, Melissa Veilleux of Lewiston, and Kelli Pidcock of Missouri; cousin Stephen Wasylak of Michigan; five great-nieces, one great-nephew; and two godchildren, Jessica Bernier and Matthew Ferrante.

Private Graveside service will be held at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland, in the spring.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.