Mary Lou Blayney
December 13, 1934 - June 21, 2025
Obituary
Mary Lou was born on December 13, 1934, in Tama, Iowa. She was the sixth of seven children to Charles and Elsie Howard. She spent her early years on a farm in St. Anthony, Iowa, where she learned the values of hard work and family—values that would define her life. She graduated from Zearing Public School in 1952, one of just 13 students in her class, and proudly played on the school’s basketball team…even though it was only half court!
On April 2, 1956, Mary Lou married the love of her life, Robert Ambrose Blayney, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Together, they began their journey in Zearing, Iowa, welcoming their first two children, Dale and Annette, before moving to Seattle, Washington, in 1958. There, they settled into a home that Mary Lou would live in for over 66 years—a home that became the heart of a large and loving family. It was there that they added six more children to their growing family: Teressa, Virginia, Marc, Roberta, Marilyn, and Patrick. To say the least, it was a place filled with energy, chaos, laughter, kids, and pets—lots and lots of kids and pets.
She began her professional life at Tri County State Bank in Zearing, and after moving west, she brought her talents to several Seattle organizations, including Worldwide Distributors, Pacific Marine Schwabacher, and Kemman Distributing. But her greatest work was the life she built for her family and the community she nurtured around her.
She was a Girl Scout leader, as well as hosted the local Seattle Times paper shack from her garage. In her Arbor Heights neighborhood, she created and maintained lifelong friendships with the Theofelis and Kerwin families. Her involvement in a social sorority led to a cherished 50+-year Thanksgiving tradition with the Foley family. These friendships brought her true happiness, many adventures, and comfort through both good times and hard ones.
Mary Lou’s life was rich with hobbies and passions. She loved spending time at the family cabins, visiting the ocean, traveling with loved ones, and driving her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to school. She found joy in building puzzles, playing bingo, trying her luck at slot machines and horse racing, and of course, watching Hallmark movies. She also loved cheering on the Mariners, she even has money riding on a Mariners World Series win this year. Ever the hopeful, perhaps even delusional fan! She collected carousels and had a lasting love for ice cream.
She is survived by her children: Annette Blayney (Mark McCooey), Teressa Blayney, Virginia Blayney, Marc Blayney, Roberta Tookey (Lance), Marilyn Pirtle-Blayney (Jill), and Patrick Blayney (Tanya); her grandchildren: Andrew, Prieda, Mikaela, Kevin, Jaret, Brianna, Kenny, Ruby, Brandon, and Georgia; and her great-grandchildren: Owen and Annalee. She is also survived by her sister Lucy, sisters-in-law Sandy and Anne, as well as many treasured nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert and her son Dale.
It’s impossible to capture the fullness of Mary Lou’s life in just a few words. She was a pillar of strength, a source of unconditional love, and someone who gave her all to everyone around her. Her legacy lives on in the family she raised, the friendships she cherished, and the countless lives she touched.
Mary Lou will be deeply missed, but her spirit will remain with us always—in every shared memory, every family gathering, and every scoop of ice cream enjoyed in her honor.
The family extends their gratitude to Franciscan Hospice (Alex, Shalini, Vanessa, Chaplain Kevin and Terry) for their helpful, compassionate care of Mary Lou during her final months.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Mary Lou.
Your mom will be dearly missed, she was amazing person and took me in like one of her own 8 kids! Love you all so much. So sorry for your loss..
She has WONDERFUL children! Strong woman!
Such a beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman!
She was the heart and strength of a very special family and I am so thankful for the years I was blessed to know her.
She will truly be missed.
Mrs. Blayney,
I think of Strength, Safety, Humor and Much Unconditional Love… SO, Happy to have had her in my life. I hope I can take some of those Values she showed us thru the years and bring love and happiness to others just as she always did.
An example of what we all should strive to be.
“Luv You Mrs. Blayney” (I still can’t seem to call you Marylou)