Marilyn Joyce Blackford

Our Mom, beloved wife, and loving Nana peacefully left this earth on February 12, 2019, and entered heaven with excitement to greet her daughter, Angie, her parents, Harold, and Helen Bean and her brothers Jack and Jerry.  

Marilyn was born on August 24th, 1944 in Beatrice, NE.  She joined her three older brothers, Richard, Jack and Jerry to complete their family.  Her family came West to Oregon during her teen years and she graduated from Albany High School in 1962.  Marilyn married John R. Blackford in May 1963 and later that year they had their first child, Angie (Arnold).  In 1967, they had their second daughter, Mindy (Gronbeck) and in 1970, their family was complete when Jeff entered the world.  

In 1976, John and Marilyn made a huge decision and moved their family to Anchorage, Alaska where they resided until 1995.  Marilyn’s primary focus was to raise her children in a loving Christian home.  Being a Mom is the hardest job in the world but Marilyn managed to ensure that her three children were raised to be respectful, hard-working and contributing members of society.  Marilyn was a phenomenal cook and every Sunday was like a holiday feast.  Many of her recipes continue to grace our tables every holiday.  When she had her children in line she worked aside my Dad in the family business.   

Marilyn was extremely involved in the Jewel Lake Nazarene Church (Anchorage) as their Children’s Director.  She provided the church family with many children’s pageants each year.  
As a Mom, there is nothing more exciting than becoming a Nana (grandmother).  Being a Nana was her greatest joy.  She was very proud of her grandsons, Cory Blackford, Calen Woods, Chyler Woods, Quinn Prouty, and Jackson Gronbeck.  I am sure that Marilyn never thought anything could be better than being a Nana but then she became a Great-Grandmother to Morrison Blackford (A GIRL!), Ezra Woods, Eisley Woods.  

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Helen Bean, her daughter, Angie Arnold and her brothers, Jack, and Jerry Bean.  

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 54 years, John R. Blackford, daughter Mindy Gronbeck (David), son Jeff Blackford (Jim Jansen), grandsons Cory (Ali), Calen (Corinne), Chyler (Nicole), Quinn, Jackson, and great-grandchildren Morrison, Ezra and Eisley.  In addition, she has many extended family and friends that will miss her dearly.  

A special thank you to those that lovingly cared for Marilyn:  Dr. Kristy Jessop, Serenity Hospice, New Horizons In-Home Care, First Call Home Health Care and Love Inc of Linn County.  

A memorial of life will be held March 1st in Albany, OR.  Please contact a family member for details.  

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