Mary Lou Blair

Mary Blair, a long-time resident of Paonia, Colorado, most recently of Delta, Colo., passed away at the age of 88 on Monday, June 29, 2020 at the Valley Manor Care Center in Montrose, Colorado.

A private family graveside service has taken place and a memorial service to celebrate Mary’s life will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 12, 2020 at the Paonia United Methodist Church with Pastor Joshua Langille-Hoppe and James Gall officiating.

Born on Sept. 12, 1931, in Van Wert, Iowa to Bert and Elveta (Greenhalgh) Binning, Mary spent her childhood on the family farm near Van Wert , IA and attended high school in Leon, Iowa, winning awards in typing, stenography and bookkeeping. The summer following graduation, a term at Commerce Business School in Lincoln, NE resulted in a job with the USDA in Des Moines, IA as a stenographer. Mary would continue to work in bookkeeping and secretarial positions throughout life, guiding family members in balancing their checkbooks.

On November 1, 1953 Mary wed John L. “Jack” Blair in Van Wert. One of their fond memories is friends and family who celebrated their 65th anniversary with them in November of 2018. This November they would have celebrated 67 years of marriage.

The Blairs moved to Paonia, Colo. in 1974 and were business owners and active community members there until relocating to Delta 18 months ago due to health needs.

Mary enjoyed her flower gardens, music, jigsaw puzzles and reading. A member of the United Methodist Women in Paonia, she sang in the church choir and played in the bell choir for many years. Mary had a theatre organ at home which she learned to play. A long-time member of PEO, Chapter GT, she and her husband were members of the Ute Trail Car Club. Cherry Day celebrations found Mary in the parade as co-pilot of her mint green 36’Ford CPE street rod. Some of her favorite things were peonies, compiling family genealogy, chatting with friends and neighbors, and canning peaches. In the family, she was known for her strawberry rhubarb jam, as well as her “real” macaroni and cheese.

Mary is survived by her husband Jack, as well as two children: son John Blair of Paonia, and daughter, Jennifer Roeber (Chad) of Montrose; brother Frank Binning (Joyce) of Van Wert, IA; sister Betty Sebenik (Roger) of Boulder, and brother-in-law Dr. Ronald Hullinger of Lafayette, IN. Mary also leaves behind three grandchildren whom she adored: Ian Roeber (Rose Miola) of Richmond, VA; Rebecca Roeber (Travis Boswell) of Olathe, KS; and Brennan Blair (Megan Walsh) of Brooklyn, NY. Rose and Ian are expecting Mary and Jack’s first great grandchild in October of this year, and she was eagerly awaiting the little girl.

Mary was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Doyle and Norma Binning, and her sister Patricia Hullinger.

Memorial contributions can be made in Mary’s memory to: PEO Chapter GT Scholarship, c/o Bonnie Miller, 35056 Hanson Mesa Rd., Hotchkiss, CO 81419 or Paonia United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 157, Paonia, Colorado 81428.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.