Donalyn J Blake

Donalyn J Blake – EAST MONTPELIER - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donalyn J Blake, who left us on June 7, 2025, at the age of 89. Donalyn was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, who touched the lives of everyone she met with kindness and warmth.
She was born on January 20, 1936, in Randolph, Vermont, the only child of Thomas and Marjorie Stearns. She grew up in South Royalton, VT, attended schools there and graduated from South Royalton High School in 1953. On May 8, 1954, she married Richard Blake in South Royalton. They moved to East Montpelier, VT, where they opened Blake & Loso Used Cars. They later divorced, but Donalyn spent years as a stay-at-home mom while contributing to the business. She and her girlfriends would travel to auto auctions in various places to drive home vehicles that were purchased.
Donalyn started working outside of the home in the late 70s. She had various part-time jobs before securing her final job working in the Retirement Division of the State of VT., where she was a valued employee for many years. She retired in December 1998, only returning to work part-time during the summer months if she was needed. She started wintering in Bushnell, Florida in 2003, in a park where other VT friends lived in the winter. This is where she met her future partner, Ed Hope. They purchased a place in this park and spent the months of November to April here until 2017.
Donalyn enjoyed reading, going to bingo every chance she got, and she loved knitting and crocheting (making many an afghan and/or baby blanket for family and friends). She loved watching sports; auto racing, basketball (college and NBA), and she was an avid baker with family favorites of apple pie, sour cream apple pie and kahlua cake. She loved picking strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries, which were then made into her amazing jams. She also made her famous sour pickles, which were loved by all.
Donalyn is survived by her children, Debra (Blake) Gomez and her husband, Thomas of Florida, Randall Blake and his partner Michelle Ovaitte of Vermont, and Sherry Blake of Vermont. Surviving grandchildren are Christina (Mascitti) Steele and her husband Nicholas, Keith Blake, and Erika Blake. Surviving great-grandchildren are Chase Folsom, Houston Pape, Alexis Blake, Christian "Blake" Steele and Mikalya LaFrance. She was predeceased by parents, and her partner Ed Hope.
There are no calling hours. A graveside memorial service will be held on August 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the family lot in Plain-Mont Cemetery in East Montpelier.