Ida Lou Blakslee, a young 88, of Dalton, NH and DeBary, FL, passed away surrounded by family on September 16, 2026, following a brief illness. She was born September 26, 1937, the youngest child of Herbert and Claribel (Curtis) Blakslee, and was raised on the Blakslee family farm in Dalton.

Ida’s father passed away when she was just two years old, and she was raised alongside her seven older siblings. Growing up together created a remarkable bond among the Blakslee children—a bond that remained strong throughout their lives and became an important part of Ida’s life and identity.

Ida graduated from Whitefield High School, Class of 1955, where she was known for being a great softball shortstop and basketball player. As Brother Bob recalls, “She was the only girl I knew back in those days who could shoot a hook shot.” She went on to secretarial school in Boston, then began her career with Curran-Lavoie, a construction company in Littleton, NH. Ida influenced the company to take on the site work for the construction of the Dalton Elementary School, helping the town save money.

Her career eventually took her to Maine, where she worked for Cianbro Corporation, and later to Bedford NH, where she joined Eckman Construction. When she retired, she started splitting her time between the home she had built in FL and her camp on Forest Lake. During her employment, she was an active member of WIC (Women in Construction).

Ida was a remarkable friend-maker and treasured her family. Her lake camp became a beloved gathering place: summer Sundays when relatives and friends came together for food, laughter, and water skiing; legendary parties (people still speak of her Mortgage Burning party and her brother John’s retirement celebration); and games of Scat.

Sunday mornings often found Ida faithfully attending the Dalton Congregational Church, where she frequently sang in the choir. Most Sundays, church was followed by what the family affectionately called “communion”, a time of togetherness, laughter, and Ida’s famous Bloody Marys. Each summer Ida and her sisters Eva and Margie hosted a picnic at her camp for the Dalton Ladies Aid Society, a tradition that brought friends and neighbors together year after year.

Ida loved traveling with family and friends. One group traveled together frequently for over 31 years.  An avid golfer, she proudly shared stories of her holes-in-one. When winters found her in FL, she immediately started making lasting friendships in her golf league and her church. Her family is grateful to her neighborhood friends for all of their help and friendship, most especially Susan, Helen, Tom and Jason.

Ida was predeceased by six of her seven siblings: Berta Holden, Ralph Blakslee, Charles Blakslee, Marjorie Couturier, Eva Lavoie, and John Blakslee. She is survived by her brother, Robert Blakslee, and his partner and Ida’s friend, Janet Wiley.

Although Ida had no children of her own, she was a beloved aunt and an important presence in the lives of her many nieces and nephews and their families. She leaves behind Charlotte (Blakslee) Nelson and husband, Jack; Evelyn (Greenwood) Blakslee; Bruce Couturier; Ann (Couturier) Fitz and husband, Gary; Jay (Kathy Jean) Lavoie; Peter (Dianne) Blakslee; Linda (Lavoie) Pennock and husband, Steve; Brian (Linda) Blakslee; Dana (Maria) Blakslee; Lori (Blakslee) Mann and husband, Bob; Glenn (Kimmy) Lavoie; Debra (Couturier) Timson; Carla (Blakslee) and husband, Bob; Kurt (Kathy) Lavoie, and her dear friends Rita Cloutier and Lorraine Pilotte. She was predeceased by David Holden and his wife, Joy; Allen Blakslee; and Danny Timson.

Ida leaves behind more than memories. She leaves family traditions, lifelong friendships, stories that will continue to be told, and a legacy of bringing people together. Her homes were often the place where people gathered, but it was Ida herself who made those gatherings special. Her sense of humor, her caring, her interest in people, and her welcoming spirit will continue to live on in all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

A Celebration of Ida’s Life will be held next summer. Please refer to her obituary at Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster, NH, for details and updates.

The Dalton Ladies Aid Society is suggested for donations in Ida’s honor (c/o Doris Mitton, 449 French Road, Dalton, NH 03598) or to the charity of your choice.