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In memory of

Mary Eileen Bledsoe

Orange Park, FL, USA

October 1, 1934 - February 12, 2020

Oct 1, 1934 - Feb 12, 2020

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Mary Eileen Bledsoe (Rose)
1934 – 2020

Mary Eileen Bledsoe (Marie) passed away peacefully of natural causes on February 12, 2020, at the Haven - Custead Care Center in Orange Park, Florida, surrounded by her dedicated and loving family. She was 85. Mary was preceded in death by her husband and lifelong companion, Richard Vance Bledsoe (Dick) and son, John Edward Bledsoe.

Marie was born on October 1, 1934, in Queens, New York to Harry Joseph Rose and Lillian Beatrice Usavich and was one of seven kids. Harry’s parents were Irish immigrants and Lillian immigrated from Lithuania. Being part of a large family with immigrant roots shaped Marie’s early life.

Marie earned a degree in nursing in Tampa, Florida. While she was in the program, she met the love of her life, Dick Bledsoe. Marie and Dick married January 3, 1955, in Charlton, Georgia and formed a strong, forever loving family of eight kids: Mary Darleith, Richard Vance, Donna Marie, Karen Lynn, Steven Michael, John Edward, David Lee, and Janna Jolene. Marie has 13 grandkids and 14 great-grandkids. Marie is survived by her brothers Robert and Richard Rose and her sister Virginia Lyons (Ginny).

Marie was an avid reader and masterful card player. She was also known for her witty sense of humor. The Bledsoes loved to laugh and there was little doubt that Marie was the funniest. She stayed true to form, making funny comments up to the final hour of her life.

She lived the golden rule for her entire life. From the moment anyone would enter Marie’s house, they would feel both welcomed and pampered. She lived to nurture and host. This also extended outside the house, if there were workers present. Marie was also a great cook and shared her cooking with neighbors and her kids. Marie was a kind and compassionate person and yearned to serve others.

This was especially true with her husband and soulmate, Dick. Marie loved to prepare meals and cook for Dick. The Bledsoe kids and extended family always knew with certainty that Dick and Marie were in love and always infatuated with each other. For more than 62 years, Dick and Marie were lovebirds.

Marie made one last request an hour before passing. She asked to be buried with a purse. She wanted a picture of each family member in the purse so that she could share it with Dick. And, then Marie said, “Goodbye, I need to go now.”

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