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BORN
1960
DIED
2011
Mary Blaha Obituary
She was born June 20, 1960, in Cleveland, the daughter of Fred and late Lucy (Smith) Giel. She married Joseph P. Blaha July 17, 1982.
Mary was a RN at University Hospital Geauga Medical Center, where she was nurse coordinator for Cancer Center and Patient Navigator supporting cancer patients.
She was a volunteer firefighter for Morgan Hose Fire Department, volunteer at Rock Creek Conservation Club and Ashtabula Antique Engine Club. She also walked in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. Mary enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and outdoor activities at their cabin in Tionesta, Pa.
Mary was a graduate of Notre Dame Academy and St. Vincent Charity Nursing School.
Survivors are her husband, Joseph P. Blaha; father, Fred (Mary Anne) Giel; children, Mary Jo (Dennis) Martin, Joseph P. (Mallory) Blaha Jr. and Katie Blaha (fiance, James Sanguedolce); siblings, Matt (Diane), Mark, Mike (Carrie), Marty (Jill) Giel, Molly Burzanko and Maggie (Art) Hanson; and grandson, Grant Martin.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2011, at Paine-Guerriero Funeral Home (main location), 140 E. Main Street, Orwell, OH 44076. (Please note: at Orwell location.)
A funeral Mass will be conducted by Rev. G. David Weikart 11 a.m. Friday, May 27, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 103 N. Maple St., Orwell. A visitation will take place at the church prior to Mass from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Seidman Cancer Center, at the Geauga Medical Center. Donations can be sent to Administrative Department, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024, or submitted at the funeral home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Blaha
Mary Ann Giel
May 18, 2024
I was blessed to have Mary as my daughter in law. She was the love of our lives. The most special person I have ever met. Love and miss you Mary.
Suzanne Hughes
May 22, 2012
Dear Joe, Mary Jo, Joey, Katie and family,
As we reminisce about the past year, we remember your sweet family and still keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts still ache here at the SCC, and Mary will always have a special, one of a kind place in our hearts. We are blessed to be able to laugh at her funny, carefree look at life and stress, knowing she knew what was important. She always made each of us feel special and we hope you know you are all special to us. May you be comforted and encouraged knowing you are not alone.
God bless and comfort,
The Geauga SCC girls
Fred & Mary Ann Giel
December 9, 2011
Dear Mary Ellen,
This is the first Christmas for our family without you. As our organizer and gathering agent, you always made sure this family was together at special times and particularly at holiday time. We will miss your presence and it will be difficult, but we all know in our hearts that no matter where we are, you will be with us. Our love, prayers and thoughts are always with you.
With all our love,
Dad and Mary Ann
Your entire Blaha/Giel family, extended relatives and many friends.
Ed & Susan Ryglewicz
June 1, 2011
To the Blaha and Giel Families;
Mary Ellen will be greatly missed! Her smile always lit up a room! What a dear sweet cousin whom I grew up with at Ledge Lake. We now have another beautiful Angel watching over all of us. Rest in peace and Aloha sweet lady...
Rodney Palmer
May 31, 2011
For several years the Blaha and Giel men came to the Riverland Camp and Outfitters in Madawaska, Ontario, Canada, bear hunting. I was lucky enough to meet Mary a couple of times when she came up to the bear camp. What a wonderful, friendly lady she was! She will be greatly missed by the Giel and Blaha families and everyone that knew her. My deepest sympathy to both families.
Denise M. Hering
May 30, 2011
Mary was and will always be one of the sweetest people I have ever known. We shared a love of nursing and being Moms and riding with our arms wrapped around our husbands. I miss her already and that beautiful smile and know she lives on thru her children and good lessons she taught all of us that were lucky to be close to her. Bless your family...my heart and prayers are with you!
Julie & Troy (Parker) Loomis Family
May 27, 2011
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Fran Smith
May 27, 2011
To the Blaha and Giel families,
I just found out today that Mary Ellen had passed. I am so so sorry for you loss,Mary Ellen was a wonderful woman always smiling and happy. I know she is still smiling now even though she is not with us on earth. Strong of Faith,Strong in Family, and Strong in Love. May she rest in peace. Much sympathy goes out to you Joe, and your children, To Cousin Fred and her brothers and sisters. She is with Cousin Lucy and all of the Giel, Smith and Blaha families that have passed before us. They are welcoming her with open arms. Mary Ellen you will truly be missed.
May 27, 2011
Mike, we are deeply sorry for the great loss of Mary to you and your family. We pray that you may find comfort in each other and in the Lord.
Bob and JoAnn Cox, Conneaut, OH
May 27, 2011
"Mary was a very special lady.I admired her strength and feel so blessed to have known her.I,too, have experienced tragedy when I lost my husband in a car accident.He is always watching over me and our 3 children.Remember Mary will be doing the same. God Bless You All Theresa Crum-Wagner Geauga ER Chardon,Ohio
Jim Baumgartner
May 26, 2011
Joe, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Brian Sefchick
May 26, 2011
My deepest sympathy goes out to all of Mary's relatives and friends. May God forever bless the Blaha family.
May 26, 2011
To all who knew and loved Mary. We all have experienced a gift from God to have shared any time in our lives with this wonderful lady. She always thought of others first even when being tested with health issues of her own. She was a great teacher and resource of hope when my husband faced a challenge of cancer. I thank the Lord that she was there for us. Now may God send his comfort to those who loved her. God bless you Angel. Love Pat and Jack Luck
The Hathy family
May 26, 2011
we are so saddended to hear of your great loss. our hearts go out to you. you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
May 26, 2011
Deepest sympathy goes out to all of you and our thoughts and prayers as well. So sorry, with love, Joe, Tami and Robert Nelson.
May 26, 2011
My prayers and sympathy to the Giel and Blaha families. I remember Mary Ellen's bright smile and personality.
My heart goes out to you.
with many prayers,
Mary Ann (Scott) Sedivy
(Newbury)
May 26, 2011
What a tremdous loss! She will be missed by so many. She was a wonderful nurse and a compassionate, thoughtful, loving human being. Heaven has a new angel. Gina Marie McKee
May 26, 2011
Our deepest sympathy to the Blaha and Giel Families. We will always remember her kindness, her gentleness and her smile. Mary was truly a gem and will be missed by so very many but the impressions she left behind will be a memorial to her forever. Rich and Georgia Klemencic
Emil and Marge Saloa
May 26, 2011
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Giel and Blaha Families for MaryEllen...Our Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
ANGIE GRYSHO
May 26, 2011
HOW MUCH SHE IS NEEDED IN HEVEN AND WE WILL MISS HER SO MUCH HERE. SHE GAVE ME MY INFUSIONS AT THE HOSPITAL.WEDNESDAY, AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY. DEACON FRED, I AM SO SORRY I CAN NOT BE WITH YOU NOW, BUT, YOU HAVE MY PRAYERS ALONG WITH THE FAMILY.
I HAVE KNOW HER SINCE CHILDHOOD AND LOVED HER AS AN ADULT. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND HOLD YOU IN HIS HANDS.
ANGIE GRYSHO FAMILY IN NEWBURY
Randy and Kathy Elgin
May 26, 2011
My thought's and prayers to the Blaha family and to all her friends. She was a wonderful caring person.
Mary Coll
May 26, 2011
My deepest condolences to the Blaha and Giel families. Mary was a speciel lady and will be missed.Mary Jane Collier, Orwell, OH
Lew Gibson, RN
May 25, 2011
My condolences to the Blaha family.
Blake Malkamaki
May 25, 2011
So sorry to hear this sad news Joe. I'll pray for your family.
Anne Falatach
May 25, 2011
words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. Mary is everything I'm striving to be: a caring, loving, compassionate, funny, energetic, smiling nurse, & friend. God Bless!
PAULY AND TRISH PLISKO
May 25, 2011
WE ARE SO SORRY TO HERE OF THIS GREAT LOST OF LIFE, SHE WAS AND WILL ALLWAYS BE LOVED AND MISSED. A GREAT PERSON , WHO WAS ALLWAYS CAREING, LOVE AND PRAYERS TO ALL THE FAMILY ,
May 25, 2011
Mary is a beautiful person inside and out. I've only known her for a few years but she always made me feel like I've known her for a lifetime. I could always count on a hug and a smile from her when I saw her. She will be truely missed. My prayers and thoughts are with the Blaha and Giel families. Heaven gained another angel. ~Monica Szilagyi
Leanne McIntosh
May 25, 2011
May God bless you and keep you in this time of sorrow.
Carmen Rodriguez-Browning
May 25, 2011
SO sorry for your guys' loss!! I went to school with her kids and I remember her attending field trips and things of the like with us. She was a great person and will be remembered always! Love and Prayers
karen mccabe
May 25, 2011
so sorry to heard i can rember playing with her at the campgrounds and grandma giel so sorry for your lost may god be with u and playing for you we dont know were life going to take us they say onley the good died young i belive that may god bless u and all marys family
Lori Preda
May 25, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the Blaha family. Mary was a beautiful, strong and brave woman that had a heart of gold. She touched so many lives; young and old. Geauga Hospital will never be the same without her. Heaven just opened the gates for the Best angel....RIP, I love you always!
Lori Preda
May 25, 2011
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Blaha family. Mary was an amazing woman, with a heart of gold. She touched so many; young and old. She will never be forgotten and Heaven just brought home the BEST angel! RIP...I love you.
Kathy Finnerty-Deptola
May 25, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of Mary Ellen's passing. I was a student at St. Helen's school when Mary was. She was a couple grades ahead of me, but I remember her being very nice. Her brother Mark was in my grade, and Matt was in the same grade as my sister Maureen at St. Helen's. I lost my little sister Patty unexpectantly a year and a half ago, and I truly do understand the sadness that everyone is going through. Lean on family and friends to continue to give you strength through this very difficult time.
Diane Buxton
May 25, 2011
I have gotten to know Mary through my volunteer work at Geauga Hospital. She always had a smile and kind word. She made those around her feel special and loved. She will be greatly missed
Bill Brower
May 25, 2011
"Mary was about the closest thing to a second mother one could have growing up. She was always there for us, took care of us. Made sure joe and i were hosed off before we came in the house after riding our dirtbikes in the mudpits...i could go on for days with the memorys. love you Mary
May 25, 2011
Mary will be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to the family. God Bless you all.
Mark and Tammy Dingman
May 25, 2011
Our hearts go out to you family. I know Mary will be more than missed and is in heaven. Please call on us if you need anything. We will always believe your familiy is linked to ours by the children.
William Brower
Robin Brower
William Brower IV
Mark & Michelle Robinson
May 25, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Blaha & Giel families.
May 25, 2011
Very, Very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Donny (Ira) & Tammy Hare
Jan Kellogg
May 25, 2011
Our prayers are with you at this very sad time,Mary will be greatly missed by everyone whom new her. Harold and Jan Kellogg
May 25, 2011
"They say god works in mysterious ways" have faith, Mary is watching over all (As she did) from the best seat in town and she will take care of us in our time of need. May sorrow give you strength. Love always, Joanie, Diana & Ron
Micheel Bizjak
May 25, 2011
My deepest sympathies for your loss. Its never easy when someone so full of life, caring and love moves onto their next life. I have know the Giel family for many years and I know Mary was loved and will be greatly missed.
Emily Digney
May 25, 2011
Deepest sympathy for the loss of this sweet angel. I have lived next door to the Blaha's my whole life and grew up with Joey & Katie in my teens. They have always been considered a second family to me. Mary treated me like I was one of her own, dinner at their place a few times a week, movie nights in the basement. I am going to miss her so much - I will never forget the love and happiness she spread everywhere. She was the most incredible woman to walk this planet.
The Daniels Family
May 25, 2011
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Here is a comforting word from God, "Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you." (Matt 11:28) A thought for The Blaha Family.
Jennifer Ayala
May 25, 2011
Mary hired me in 2008 during her time as manager of Orthopedics at Geauga Hospital. When I met her, I instantly knew she was a sweet lady with a kind heart, who was very easy to talk to. She was taken too soon and will be greatly missed. I will keep her family, friends, and coworkers in my thoughts and prayers.
May 25, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this very sad time. Don remembers working with Mary Ellen at Belles when they were teenagers and worked with Joe at the highway dept. May the wonderful memories you have help ease the pain in your hearts, sincerely, Don and Cheryl (Navatsyk) Kumher (Burton)
Dan Sitkowski
May 25, 2011
My prayers and best wishes to the entire Blaha Family. What a fantastic individual, a loving wife, mother , daughter, sister and dedictated health care professional. In March while visiting the hospital Mary and I had as chance to talk, that day she had just become a grand-mother and was so proud. Mary Ellen Blaha will be missed and all of us will keep her memory in our hearts for ever. God bless her and all of her family. With deepest sympathy Dan & Linda Sitkowski Astoria,OR
Tammy Deemer
May 24, 2011
God has called another Home. May the wings she recieves hover over family and friends. Thoughts and prayers to the family!
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