Mary Blackson

MARY BLACKSON IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Mary Louise Parks Blackson, 82, of Idaho Falls, passed away July 21, 2009, at Lincoln Court Retirement Center. Mary was the second of three daughters born to George and Elsie Riggle Parks on February 16, 1927, in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. Mary graduated from Vandergrift High School in 1945, and soon after got a secretarial job. Mary worked while waiting for her high school sweetheart to return from World War II. On August 24, 1946, she married Raymond Blackson in the Vandergrift Presbyterian Church. They were blessed to celebrate 56 years of marriage before Ray passed away in May of 2003. Two of their three children were born while living and working in Pennsylvania. In 1961, Ray's insurance business transferred to southern California, and the family moved there, to reside for five years before returning to Pennsylvania. In California their third child was born. It was there in 1965, the family made a wonderful life changing decision to become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1974, Mary and their youngest daughter moved west to Idaho to be closer to their two married children and grandchildren, and later Ray joined them. They lived in Rexburg, St. Anthony, Shelley, Rigby, and Idaho Falls. Mary worked as a secretary for several businesses and offices; Dr. Passey, Dr. Jones, Ricks College and at the (French's) Pillsbury Plant in Shelley. After her retirement Mary got a Certified Nursing Assistant License so she could better care for her husband in his later years. Mary and Ray were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in August of 1981. Mary was an active member of the church and loved the gospel. She enjoyed serving and using her many talents to bless others. Mary had a beautiful voice and sang in her high school musicals, a traveling high school octette, church choirs, and the St. Anthony Melodaires. She also loved playing the piano since her youth. After retirement she discovered her artistic talent for oil painting. She gave many of her beautiful paintings to her children, grandchildren and friends. She enjoyed reading, current events, gardening, camping, crocheting, decorating, cooking, and entertaining her friends. She loved family get-togethers. Survivors include her three children: Marsha (Keith) Blanchard of Chester; Daniel (Stella) Blackson of Rigby; Rebecca (Barton) Cooper of American Fork, Utah; 16 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 2 sisters, Jane Stephens of Rockledge, Florida and Betty (Tom) McDermott of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother-in-law, Robert Stephens. The family would like to express appreciation for the wonderful care given and the friends made during the past two years at Lincoln Court. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2009, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, with Jason Skillings, First Counselor in the Idaho Falls LDS 24th Ward, officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Barbara and Terrell Hoskins tdhoskins@msn.com Dear Becky: So sorry to hear about your mother. What a sweet lady she was. Our prayers are with your family during this sad time. Hope things are going well with you and your family. Love, Barbara Hoskins ERIN LISH elish@safehavenhealthcare.org We are so sorry to learn of the passing of your mother. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. We took care of her for a few years before she went into the retirement home. She always made us feel so welcome in her home and we loved to visit with her and were in awe of her talent in painting. Wow! She was good! We will miss her warm loving spirit here. Fondly, Erin Lish, Safehaven Health Care, formerly Aspen Grove