Mary Lou Blum, a loving wife, devoted mother and cherished grandmother passed away peacefully in the presence of her daughter one week shy of her 92nd birthday on October 14, 2025, in Cumming, Georgia. Born October 21, 1933, in Glenville, West Virginia, Mary Lou was the daughter of Hayward Morrison and Pearl Starrett Morrison, and younger sister to Bernard Morrison.
Mary Lou is survived by her daughter Erika Blum Johnson and son-in-law Cliff Johnson and her six grandchildren: Colton Johnson, Jennifer Johnson, Chris Johnson, Faith Johnson, Ford Johnson, and Zackary Speranza. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert Blum, daughter Jennifer Blum Miller and daughter Margaret Blum Speranza.
Mary Lou had impeccable strength and determination. Upon high school graduation, she departed her small West Virginia town and moved to Washington D.C. to work in the State Department. It was there that she met the love of her life, Robert Blum, who was then living in New York City. On August 15, 1953, Mary Lou and Robert married and began their life in New York City where their first daughter was born. They later became longtime residents of Redding, Connecticut, where they had their second two daughters and raised their growing family.
Mary Lou was a nurturer and patient soul. She taught preschool at Christ Church Preschool in Redding, Connecticut for many years and touched many young lives. She also had her share of heartbreak, losing two of her daughters to cancer much too young. And yet she remained positive and always exhibited strength and independence. Her desire to be close to her remaining daughter and her growing family brought her to Alpharetta, Georgia in 2000, where she left an indelible mark on her grandchildren. Mary Lou was an incredible cook and baker and will be fondly remembered for, among many other things, her chicken tetrazzini and her amazing peach pie.
Mary Lou was a lover of animals, and over the course of her life had numerous dogs, four horses and several cats. She was a devoted patron of numerous animal rescue organizations. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the U.S.) at Humane World for Animals.
Online condolences may be expressed at ingramfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
210 Ingram Avenue, Cumming, GA 30040
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.


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