Lillian Rae Blakey

Lillian Rae Blakey, 92, passed away on September 2, 2023 at her home in Pueblo, surrounded by the love of her family. Lillian was born to Joseph and Anna Dudrick in Ramah, Colorado. The majority of her life was lived in Pueblo, graduating from Central High School, where she was active in various service organizations. She attended Pueblo Junior College, earning her Associates Degree. Following college, Lillian worked as a cashier and bookkeeper for Pueblo Gas and Fuel Company.

Lillian met her future husband, Lincoln Austin, “Bud” Blakey, Jr., through a mutual friend and they married a few years later. They spent 28 years together, parenting 5 active kids, David, Rae, Doug, Beth, and Patti. Bud suddenly passed away, but Lillian never missed a step in providing the best life she possibly could for her kids. She was a wonderful mother and her family could not have been in better hands. Lillian was a very active member of the Ladies of Mary Circle at Holy Family Church during those days. This organization was instrumental in petitioning for the activation of the “911” emergency telephone number in Pueblo.

Lillian continued being active in civic organizations throughout her life. One of her greatest joys was her association with the Assistance League of Pueblo, which operated the Bargain Box. The proceeds from the Bargain Box went to Operation School Bell, a program that dressed young kids for school. Lillian spent endless hours working at the Bargain Box, shopping for nice clothes for the kids, and then helping those kids and their parents pick out brand-new clothes for the coming school year. She was adamant that each kid had a unique new jacket, so that they wouldn’t be “labeled” as a kid who was given their clothes by a charitable organization. She wanted those kids to feel empowered and proud of themselves as they began their new school year.

Probably the greatest joy of Lillian’s life was participating in the lives of her three wonderful grandchildren, Sarah, Katie, and Josh. She spent hours and hours of time with each of them and never failed to be overjoyed with each and every new step that they took in life. Her face just lit up with love whenever she would see one of them in person, or talk with them on the phone.

Lillian was not a woman who lived life on the sidelines. She was very active throughout the majority of her life, enjoying sewing, cooking, camping, gardening, doing puzzles, sports, hiking, drawing, and traveling. She loved to watch tennis, basketball, football, and even learned a thing or two about hockey. She could tell you the life story of her favorite tennis players. She was an avid Broncos fan and, in recent years, a fan of the Avalanche and Nuggets.

Most importantly, Lillian was an incredible human being. She was loving, kind, compassionate, humble, generous, humorous, friendly, accepting, intelligent, creative, patient, talented, energetic, optimistic, sensitive, happy, and just plain good. You either loved Lillian, or you just didn’t know her. She had a place in her heart for everyone and was so very grateful for the many wonderful people who came into her life.

Lillian is now an angel watching over her family and friends. Preceding her into that new existence were her husband Bud, son David, sister Jo Anna, brother Dick D., sister-in-law Edna, nephew Darian, sister-in-law Mary Lou, brother-in-law Dick M., and many others belonging to the generations before her.

Anyone who would like to make a donation in Lillian’s name is asked to consider the Bargain Box, the hospice organization of your choice, or any organization that promotes love, tolerance, and inclusivity of all people. Lillian was, above all, about love.

A memorial service for Lillian will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 9:00 am at T.G. McCarthy Funeral Home, 329 Goodnight Ave., Pueblo, Colorado 81004.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tgmccarthy.com for the Blakey family.