Mary K. Blue

Mary was born to Clara and Conrad Ball in Wichita Kansas. She was raised in Loveland, graduating from high School in 1955, then getting her teaching degree from Greeley Teachers College (UNC). She spent her entire life in Northern Colorado living in Greeley, Loveland and Longmont.

She was married to Dr. Keith Blue and they both were educators, with Keith becoming the Superintendent of schools for the Saint Vrain school district. Mary and Keith had two children Kenneth and Allison who both preceded her in death. They had no grandchildren.

Mary was very active in her communities, and after raising her children she got a bachelor's degree in biology from CU Boulder. She was always an active Buff fan attending football games in the seats her

folks had on the 50 yard line, well into her 70’s. Had she not grown up in the 1950’s she would have been an active athlete, instead she was a lifetime hiker, helping build the Colorado Trail across the continental divide. She was also a very active gardener using her biology degree to enhance her home garden and others in Longmont.

Mary was elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives serving one term as a Democrat. She was especially proud of her efforts to widen highway US 287 between Longmont and Loveland into a four- lane safe road. She served a term on the Longmont City Council, and was on the Colorado Supreme Court Nominating Commission for several years. Governor Romer appointed her to the RTD Board serving as Longmont’s representative.

She was also a lifetime member of PEO, and the First United Methodist Church of Longmont d/b/a Heart of Longmont. Mary served on the Longmont Symphony Board of Directors and was active in the YMCA, an organization her Great Grandfather Henry Tuggy helped found in Denver.

After her divorce from Dr. Keith Blue she found many years of happiness with fellow Methodist Tom Cobb, a Longmont contractor. She and Tom traveled to many countries and enjoyed spending time at her family’s cabins above Estes Park on Lumpy Ridge. There, she would entertain her children, their friends, her nieces and Allison’s dear Sadie, who she called her Granddaughter. Growing up on Lake Loveland in the family home she spent many fun times in High School entertaining friends and continued to enjoy the family home visits until her death.

Mary was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Blue and daughter Allison, and husband Tom Cobb.

Those left to cherish her memory are brothers Robert Ball his wife Janice of Seaside, Oregon and Richard Ball of Loveland. Nieces Laura and Lindsay of Portland Oregon, and Tiffany Ball of New York City and Erika Ball of Loveland; and nephew Chris Ball of the Bay Area and niece Nicole Ball of Sacramento Calif.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 at 11:00am, at First United Methodist

Church of Longmont, Colorado with lunch catered at the Church following the service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the First United Methodist Church of Longmont.