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Mary Blake
February 10, 1921 - January 14, 2017
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<div itemprop="description">Mary Blake (née Layton), of Red Deer passed away peacefully at the Michener Hill Extendicare in the early hours of Saturday January 14, 2017. <br>Mary was born on February 10, 1921 on her parents' homestead west of Bentley, Alberta. Her education began at the one-room Benjamin school, riding there on horseback with her siblings. She completed high school in Lacombe and in 1940 she qualified as a teacher at the Calgary Normal School. She taught briefly at a remote country school west of Rimbey before joining the RCAF. During the Second World War she served as a corporal on several Canadian bases. Her veteran's benefits made it possible to attend the University of British Columbia where she earned a degree in home economics and met her future husband. Mary and Humfrey Blake were married in 1949 and their two sons were born in Kelowna, BC. After Humfrey' s untimely death in 1958 she returned to central Alberta where she taught Home-economics and English at Bentley High School. During the summer breaks she completed her Education degree from the University of Alberta. In 1965 she accepted a position at Central Jr. High School in Red Deer where she taught for another fifteen years. Retirement was Mary's opportunity to travel and pursue a passionate interest in art. She explored many media including painting, textiles, and ceramics. The local arts community benefitted greatly from her support and informal instruction. She was a stalwart member of Gaetz United Church and volunteered much of her free time to the choir, the UCW, and other church programs. <br>Mary is survived by: her son John Francis (Mavis) Blake of Vancouver; her son Gerald Anthony (Lorraine) Blake of Red Deer; her grandson Adam James (Sara) Blake; Her grandson Brendan Neill (Ashley) Blake; her great-granddaughter Bridget Ann-Marie Blake and Bridget's sister Layla D. Schmitt; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. <br>She is preceded in death by: her husband F. Humfrey Blake; her parents Duncan McLean Layton and Annie Mary Layton (née Lockhart); her brother James L. (Beryl) Layton; her brother Robert D. (Clara) Layton; her brother Laurie R. (Lenore) Layton; her sister Jessie B. (Hal) Bodden; her brother Layton L. (Reva) Layton; and her grandson James D. Blake. <br>Mary's family wishes to thank the staff at Extendicare for the kind and respectful care she received during her stay there. <br>A funeral service will be held at Gaetz United Church in Red Deer in early February. The exact time and details will be announced at a later date. <br></div>