Mary Lou Blazer

Mary Lou Blazer, 89, Canton,OH passed away on Jan 9, 2022, after a brief illness. Mary Lou was born on Sept. 21,1932 to Robert and Leona (Manfull) McGhee at home in Pekin, Ohio. After her mother's death, she was lovingly raised by her uncle and aunt, Wilbur and Mary Manfull of Augusta, OH. She graduated from Augusta High School in 1950, one of 27 classmates. She remained friends with most of these people her entire life. In August of 1950, she married her childhood sweetheart, lifelong partner, and love, Donald "Gib" Blazer. After moving to Canton in 1956 she lovingly raised her family and was active in her community, the Women's Club, a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, a Band Parent and as an election worker. As a member of Perry Christian Church, Mary Lou served as a deaconess and was an active member of the congregation. She and Don were happy members of the Crusaders' Class which provided joy and support for many years. All her life she worked diligently to provide a lovely home for her family and friends. She always decorated for every season. An excellent cook, she specialized in heartwarming soups, cool Jello salads and the best scalloped potatoes in the world. Her kids and grandkids made a generational tradition of sneaking her cookies from the basement freezer. She taught all the neighborhood kids to make pies. If there is a PhD in Jello, Mary Lou would teach the course. She was the Queen of Jello! After her girls were older, she began to work outside the home. Among those pursuits she sold life insurance for 10 years, sold Avon, and later in life she and Don delivered "lost luggage" from Akron-Canton airport at all hours of the day and night. They really enjoyed this! One year, they logged over 5000 miles delivering luggage all over Ohio and Western PA. As an added bonus it drove their girls crazy. "It's 11 o’clock, do you know where your parents are?”, was a frequent refrain among their daughters. They were always together. They had a passion for traveling, especially visiting family. Mary Lou loved to play cards and was quite competitive. She loved watching the wildlife in her back yard. She canned vegetables in her early years and made homemade applesauce all her life. She also taught her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren her secrets for making applesauce. She always took food to anyone not feeling well and if you were special, you got the healing blue Corning-ware bowl of custard. Sore throats merited a small glass of cooled but, unset orange Jello. She always enjoyed feeding everyone, anywhere, anytime. Everyone was welcome at her home and table. Mary Lou's pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the sparkle in her blue eyes. Along with her parents she is proceeded in death by her siblings, Donna Jean (Bob) Schmachtenberger, and Wilford (Edith) Manfull. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Donald "Gib" Blazer; her daughters Patricia Feemster, Lynne (Brad) Dutton, Beverly Blazer (Dale Crawford); grandchildren Kristina (Matt) Beliveau, Roman(Dana) Feemster-Marshall, Curtis(Staci) Dutton and Samuel Crawford; great-grandchildren Kate and Julia Beliveau, Alex and Jesse Crawford. She was loved and will be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, her children’s friends, her grandchildren’s friends and their families. Services will be held on Jan 18, 2022. Visit with friends and family from 2-4pm with a service at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an organization of your choice. The family requests that covid 19 precisions are taken.