Orpha Hastings Blaisdell, 89, of Eau Claire passed away peacefully at Dove Healthcare of Eau Claire on Sunday, June 22, 2003. She was born in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts on September 9, 1913, the daughter of Philip Worthington and Vivian Phyllis Hastings. She graduated from Agawam High School in 1931 and from Springfield Hospital School of Nursing in 1935.\r\nOrpha married Charles A. Blaisdell on July 4, 1935 in Springfield, MA. They made their home in Springfield until moving to Eau Claire in 1951. She worked for several years at Luther Hospital.\r\nOrpha taught rug hooking for more than twenty years at the Eau Claire Parks and Recreation Center and also held classes in her home. She worked with purchased patterns already stenciled on burlap and also designed her own.\r\nShe was a member of Christ Church Cathedral.\r\nSurvivors include her children, Philip (Shirley) Blaisdell and David (Jerri) Blaisdell both of Eau Claire; six grandchildren, Julie (Donald) Christ of Eleva, Terri Lee Halverson of Fall Creek, Rodney Blaisdell of Oak Park Height, MN, Randall (Carla) Blaisdell of Madison, Michael Blaisdell and Timothy Blaisdell both of Eau Claire; six great grandchildren, Arron Christ, Jessica Halverson, Bryan, Kelli, Stephanie and Tabitha Blaisdell; four sisters, Helen Kane, Marion Convertino, Vivian Hill, all of Feeding Hills, MA and Ruth Hastings of Bridgeport, CT; four brothers, David, Jared, Robert, all of Springfield, MA and Arthur of Feeding Hills, MA; and many nieces and nephews.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles; great grandson, Shawn Gail Christ; six brothers, Benjamin, William, Lyman, Charles, Warren, Harold and Philip; and one sister, Hazel.\r\nHer body will be donated to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School. Private family services will be held. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting her family.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials be directed to the donor's choice.

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