Marilyn Blake
Marilyn “Mim” W. Blake, 91, lifelong resident of Milford, beloved wife of the late Robert O. Blake, entered into eternal rest on March 30, 2022. Born on March 11, 1931, in Milford, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Gladys Wade.
Mim graduated from Milford High School in 1949 and went on to earn her degree at the Laboratory of Merchandising in New York City. A year after graduation she was awarded Most Successful Graduate due to her position as a buyer at Howland’s Department Store where she was promoted several times during her first year of employment.
After several years Mim left Howland’s to raise her family. She had married Bob, the love of her life, just before he graduated from college. Once their children were older, she returned to the workforce and became a leader at Weight Watchers where she worked for 19 years. She loved both of her jobs and brought passion and commitment to each.
Mim was also an active member of the community. She served as chairman of the Animal Shelter Commission, a position she held until recently. She was also a member of the Golf Course Commission. In addition, she was a volunteer for the Milford Hospital Auxiliary for over 40 years. She also served as Eucharistic Minister at St Mary parish until the pandemic struck.
Mim had other interests she pursued. She was an avid golfer, whose claim to fame as a golfer was a holein -one at The Orchard in 2006! She played up until and including last summer. She was passionate about it and stubborn about still playing during days of extreme heat and humidity!
Mim was also a selftaught, skilled seamstress and knitter. In addition to making clothes, curtains, quilts, among other things for herself, family, and friends, she knit hats for newborns at Milford Hospital and for cancer patients at Smilow in New Haven.
There is no doubt that Mim loved life! If you knew her, you knew that. She loved adventure. She loved to travel. She loved to socialize. She had many friends. She loved to be involved in everything. Most of all, Mim was devoted to her family. She and Bob raised 5 children and their priority was making a safe, happy home full of love and support for all of them. In a busy household, for example, she still managed to find time to be room mother in her children’s classrooms, PTA President, and Cub Scout leader. She organized camping trips for her family during the summer and later, annual family trips to the Cape. (It should be noted that Mim dominated in Chinese checkers and showed no mercy to her opponent!). She always created special celebrations for birthdays and holidays. She also played a special role as grandmother to her 12 cherished grandchildren and 4 great grandsons as well. Those who were lucky enough to know her, knew that she had a kind and generous heart. And in that heart was a special place for all the pets she had known and loved over the years.
The family would like to thank Gina and Dianne, two compassionate home health care aides, for the kindness and support they provided in recent time. Further thanks and appreciation go out to the Domino girls whose thoughtfulness and well wishes were so appreciated during Mim’s recent illnesses.
Marilyn leaves behind her children, Robert (Eileen) Blake, Jr., Thomas (Bobbi) Blake, Leslie (Butch) Hyatt, Christopher (Caroline) Blake, and Elizabeth (Rick) Polzello; grandchildren, Casey, Robert III, Haley (Rachel), Kevin, Brian, Sydney (Brian), Wade, Emily, Abigail, Owen, Sarah, and Joseph; great grandchildren, Jordan, Gavin, Beau and Colin; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Eleanor Birks.
Family and friends may gather on Monday, April 4, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 BROAD ST., MILFORD. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Mary Church (Precious Blood Parish) 70 Gulf St., Milford (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Interment will follow at Saint Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Ave., Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Milford Animal Shelter (664 East Broadway, Milford, CT 06460). To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com.