Elaine F. Blinn, age 78, of Concord passed away on Monday, April 7th after a brief illness at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon.

She was born in Reading, MA the daughter of the late Francesco and Doris (Wall) Cagnola.

Elaine and her husband, Harry, raised their children in Billerica, MA where they resided until 1995 when they moved to Gilford, NH and bought the Belknap Point Motel which they ran together until 2017 when they retired and moved to Concord.

From a very young age, Elaine was a classical pianist which she continued to play throughout her life, and also a piano teacher.  In her younger years, she and Harry managed the Citations Drum & Bugle Corps in Burlington, MA.  She was the group's tailor and seamstress, designing sewing patterns and making intricate uniforms and flags. Elaine and Harry each drove a coach bus as far away as Wisconsin to contests and parades.

Elaine was proud of her 28 years of sobriety, and was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous.  She facilitated recovery programs at the NH State Hospital and Women's State Prison, and found special meaning in supporting women during their incarceration.  She shared her story publicly to support advocacy efforts aimed at increasing funding to recovery programs across the state.

As a member of the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, Elaine chaired and grew the ambassador program for 15 years, and her role in welcoming and integrating new businesses to the Lakes Region resulted in the Blinn Ambassador of the Year award being named in her honor.

She was known for her kindness and compassion, and was drawn to those who needed it most.  She was a lover of all animals, especially her Golden's, and rescued more than her fair share of cats over the years.

Elaine is survived by her children, son, Anthony Blinn and his wife Tina of Concord, and daughter, Alanna Blinn of Mason; her stepson, Jeffrey Blinn and his wife Kim of Parker, CO; 9 grandchildren; and former husband Vincent P. Fritz and his wife Catherine of Lynnfield, MA.

She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Harry B. Blinn, who passed away in 2022; 2 daughters, Janella Marie Fritz and Jeana Marie Fritz; and her sister, Linda Cagnola.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, April 15th from 4 to 6 PM at the Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main Street, Concord.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 16th at 10:30 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 180 Loudon Road, Concord, NH.

Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Gilford, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 180 Loudon Road, Concord, NH 03301. Blood donations to the American Red Cross are equally welcome.