Jacqueline Gemma (Blais) Rao

Jacqueline G. (Blais) Rao, 96, of Milford died on October 14 at Medway Country Manor. She was the wife of the late Albert E. Rao who died in 1997.

She was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada; daughter of the late Louis & Rosanna (Bedard) Blais. She was raised & educated there and was a graduate of Mont Notre Dame High School, class of 1939. She also attended the St. Roch School of Fashion in Paris, France from 1949-50.

Jacqueline had done professional hair styling since high school. After she married Albert Rao in 1952, the couple moved to Milford where Jacqueline had resided since. Since 1952, she was the owner/operator of Lee Frances Beauty Salon before retiring in 1999. She was also the hair stylist for several area funeral homes. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Milford and its woman's club and the Sacred Heart Chorus. She was also a member of the Sigma Fi  club in Sherbrooke.

Jacqueline is survived by two sons, Albert L. Rao and his wife Ellen of Norfolk and Paul Rao and his wife Gail of Medway, two grandchildren, Christopher and Allison Rao,several nieces & nephews.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Henri Louis Blais, Louisa Masse, Cecile Fortier, Noella Pelletier, Claire Pidgeon, Emilien Blais, Mareille Asseline, Madeleine Blais, Yolande Blais.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, October 19 at 10:am in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 7 East Main St. Milford. Following cremation, burial will be at the conveniance of the family. Calling hours are on Tuesday, October 18 from 4:30 to 8:00 pm in the Watson Colonial Funeral Home, 24 Congress St. Milford.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Milford Lions Club, p.o. box 639, Milford, MA, 01757 or the Norfolk Lions Club, p.o. box 608, Norfolk, MA, 02056.

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