Mary Louise Blatnick

Mary Blatnick passed away peacefully at home on July 9, 2016 at the age of 94. Mary was born on October 25, 1921 in Cucamonga to Emil and Teresa Smiderly, immigrants from Italy. Mary was a lifelong resident of Rancho Cucamonga and was a graduate of Chaffey High School class of 1939.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 65 years, Tony, and by their son Jamie. Also preceding her in death was sister Kay Frasher and brother Frank Smiderly.

Mary is survived by her daughter Emilie Jo (Ed) Kain of La Verne; her son Tony Blatnick of Alta Loma; her grandchildren Ashley Davis of Kempner, TX, Zane (Kelly) Rawls of Merritt Island, FL, and Jamie (Carmen) Blatnick of Dallas, TX; her great grandchildren Rylee and Owen Davis, and Olivia, Mia and Natalie Rawls; and her brother Charlie Smiderly of Claremont. She is further survived by nieces, nephews and cousins both here and in Italy.

For over 40 years, Mary owned and managed a 16-unit rental property on Foothill Boulevard. She retired from active management of the property at age 90. Prior to this she held administrative positions with Suburban Gas Company and Lockheed Corporation. Mary also served as a teacher’s aide at Central School in Rancho Cucamonga.

Mary was active in the community serving as a PTA president and as a scout leader. She and her husband were organizers in the creation of the Cucamonga Little League and planners of the first Cucamonga Wine & Grape Festival.

Mary’s favorite activities included caring for her many dogs and cats and tending to her rose garden. She also enjoyed providing her “regulars” with grapefruit, oranges and lemons grown on her acre off Arrow Route. Her seasonal offerings included persimmons, pomegranates, figs and walnuts. Mary and Tony enjoyed their travels to Italy as well as their cruises with her in-laws to Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. She also treasured her time with friends and family at her beach house in Laguna Beach.

Mary will be remembered as a loving wife, a kind and gentle mother, and as a caring "Grammie". She will be deeply missed by her family and her many friends in the community.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 18 at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Care and Adoption Center would be appreciated.

Arrangements under the direction of Draper Mortuary, Ontario, CA.