Mary R. Blakeman

Mary F. Mlakar Rankin Blakeman, 88, passed peacefully into heaven in the early morning of March 7th after a long and wonderful life. Born August 24th, 1926 to her parents Anton and Mary Mlakar, Mary lived near Cleveland, Ohio for much of her life. She graduated from Shore High School in 1945 and attended Western Reserve College, focusing her studies on business management and accounting. She married William Rankin of Euclid, OH in 1951, and had a happy marriage with him, traveling extensively. She cherished art, music, and culture in all its forms, and loved to collect art pieces from the states and countries she visited. Mary had a fulfilling executive secretarial career that lasted four decades with AM International and Northrop Grumman. She was treasured by her employers and won many awards for her dedication and service. After her retirement and the passing of her first husband, she relocated to Daytona Beach, FL to be closer to her family. Mary's admirable work ethic continued long after she retired, having spent countless hours volunteering at Halifax Medical Center and the Catholic Church of Epiphany in Port Orange, FL, where she was a Eucharistic minister. In 1997, she married her "Mr. Wonderful" Edmund Blakeman in Daytona Beach. Having met at a singles dance club, Mary and Ed became "honorary singles" for 13 years, frequently returning to dances hosted by the club that brought them together. They shared their love of traveling and adventure, journeying to all sorts of destinations. Her active retirement also included playing Bridge, riding motorcycles, and spending time with her friends and new extended family. She was a loving and caring companion to Ed until he passed away in 2010, after which she moved to Gainesville, FL. She spent the next four years enjoying time with family and doing activities at the Atrium and the Village. Working hard through multiple illnesses, her always determined spirit was inspirational to many people. Left to cherish her memories are her step-children, Ron (Rusty) Blakeman, Ted (Shelley) Blakeman, Patricia (Larry) Veatch, Lisa (Clayton) Hisler, CJ (Mark) Kereston, her 10 step-grandchildren, and her 11 step-great-grandchildren. Having no children of her own, she took on the role mother and grandmother wonderfully. She has been a blessing to her family and they will continue to love and miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband William, her brother Anthony Mlakar, her second husband Edmund, and her step-grandson Rickie Sheldon. A funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143RD Street. Interment services will follow at 3:00 P. M., in the Daytona Memorial Park, 1425 Bellevue Ave., Daytona Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to or volunteer your time at a charity of your choice, just as Mary did much of her life.

Mary R. Blakeman

August 24, 1926 - March 7, 2015