May God bless you and your...
Juju, we'll miss you. Your sense of humor and quick smile was always special. Your duty is done - we'll carry on. Slib
Sheran Benerth
February 15, 2013 | North Pole, AK
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Mary June Blackford
May 12, 1925 - Feb 2, 2013
Guest Book
Remembered By
Bob 'n' Jan Blackford
February 08, 2013 | Stuart, FL
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You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Thomas Barr
February 07, 2013 | Burlington, WI
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JuJu's 75th Birthday
"JuJu", a very special person. I have known Mary June since 1960. She has a special place in my heart. Over the years we have kept in contact with each other and shared many stories. I was one of "her girls" that lived upstairs on First Street. Miss you Ju Ju but never forgotten!
Diane Cheuvront Barr
Chevie
Diane Barr
February 07, 2013 | Burlington, WI
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I`ve known Mary June most of my life . I
first met her at the Health Svc. at EIU.I will miss her very much .
Libby Damann
Libby Damann
February 06, 2013 | Charleston,, IL
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I recall our loving and caring nurse at my elementary and junior high school ( EIU Lab. School.) Even on days when we lined up for needed shots, she would be there lending her understanding and love as each student coped with his or her dreaded shot. She was kind and giving to all.
Donna Cooper (former EIU Lab. School student)
February 06, 2013
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he family:Mary June worked with me for 28 years and all I need to say is she was a great nurse and a great person , I'll never forget her. Jerry Heath M.D
February 05, 2013
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I remember Mary June as a young nurse at the Health Service back when I was in high school. As an adult I greatly appreciated all the TLC she gave my father Harold Cavins in his declining years. She was extrememly helpful to our family when he died, and she was the one who started his memorial scholarship at the EIU Foundation, which would never have occurred to me. I always enjoyed her company and have missed her in recent years.
Jane Cavins Gilbert
February 05, 2013
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Obituary
Mary's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL – Mary June(Bland) Blackford, age 87 of Charleston, passed away on Saturday, February 2,2013 at her Gowin Parc home in Mattoon. Novisitation or services are planned and in accordance with Mary June's wishesher physical body has been unselfishly gifted to the Anatomical GiftAssociation for the training of medical personnel and the advancement ofmedical science through education and research. Her remains will later be inurned in Mound Cemetery, Charleston. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, memorialgifts in her honor be made to the EIU Foundation for either the Mary June BlandBlackford Nursing Scholarship or the Miriam McMahan Early Childhood EducationScholarship. Gifts may be mailed to EIUFoundation, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920. Arrangements have beenentrusted to Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.
Mary June was born on May 12,1925 in Mattoon, Illinois, the younger of two daughters born to the late Dowand Opal (Brackin) Brand. Mary June andher sister, Miriam Bland McMahan, remained close throughout their lives.
Mary June lived in PembertonHall while attending Eastern Illinois University and it was there she met manyof her life-long friends. She latertransferred to Wesleyan School of Nursing in Chicago where she graduated fromNurses' Training and began a very long and rewarding career at Eastern IllinoisUniversity in Health Services working for Dr. Jerry Heath. She thoroughly enjoyed working with thestudents and acted as College Chapter Director of Delta Sigma Epsilon, whichlater merged with Delta Zeta. Sheretired from EIU in 1984 as Head Nurse of Health Services. As a single woman, she was able to travelextensively with friends by camper or jet throughout much of America andEurope. She married Harold T. Blackford,a former Naval Lt. Commander, on October 12, 1978 and they made their home on"Hodgen's Pond" located on Tyler Avenue in Charleston. Mary June was fond of the pond and herdachshund dogs which gave her great joy and companionship as Harold passed awayonly two years after their marriage.
Mary June was a member ofFirst Christian Church in Mattoon and the United States Cadet Corps ofNursing. She enjoyed playing sports –basketball was her first love and swimming followed a close second. Mary June is survived by two nieces, JoanMcMahan of Greenville, SC and Jane (McMahan) Parker of Lenoir City, TN; anephew, Robert Blackford and wife Jan of Stuart, FL; a great-nephew, NathanielParker of Knoxville; and three great-nieces, Meredith and Melinda McMahan, bothof Greenville and Melissa (Parker) Scoble of Knoxville; and onegreat-great-nephew, Parker Cartwright Scoble, also of Knoxville. Mary June is survived by numerous cousins andfriends including a very special friend, Chris Gebben and wife Diane ofMattoon. In addition to her parents andhusband, Mary June was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law,Miriam and Milton McMahan and their son, Milton (Mack) McMahan, Jr.
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