Obituary: Kathryn (Katy) Lang Blakslee

Kathryn (Katy) Lang Blakslee

Kathryn (Katy) Lang Blakslee

Kathryn (Katy) Lang Blakslee enjoyed every day of her 91 years and made them count. She had been a shining example of a life well lived for her five children, eight grandchildren and hundreds of acquaintances from her St. Luke's Episcopal Church life, her long tenure at Las Fuentes Retirement Resort, and affiliation with local organizations such as the public library, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Prescott Outings Club, Westerners, Prescott People Who Care, and Community Cupboard.

Katy was born in her parents' farmhouse near Monmouth, Ill., on July 27, 1917. She graduated from Purdue University in 1941 with a degree in home economics. She married Edward Blakslee Dec. 26, 1941, and enjoyed 58 years of marriage with him before his death in Prescott in 2000. Katy and Ed had moved from Crystal Lake, Ill., in 1977.

Travel was one of Katy's passions. She and Ed traveled numerous times to Switzerland, Mexico, England, New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. They enjoyed camping in their RV and hiking in Europe and the Southwest USA. Katy hiked into Havasu Canyon and the Grand Canyon several times. She continued to travel in her last years to Canada, France and Italy as well as to other destinations in the USA.

She was an avid sports fan, following first the Chicago Cubs, then the Yavapai College Roughriders soccer team, Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Diamondbacks, cheering her team on through hundreds of games.

Katy's last months were made comfortable and entertaining by the many friends and family who visited, bringing her joy, and by the caring attention from all the wonderful caregivers at Home Instead Senior Care and YRMC Hospice. Her family sincerely thanks all who helped during these last months.

Katy and Ed raised five children in Illinois. Their son Robert Lang Blakslee passed away in 1970 in Illinois. Surviving children are Betty Reynolds of Deming, N.M., Sally Schindel and son-in-law Gregg Schindel of Prescott, Ariz., Jeri McGuire of Minooka, Ill., Bill Blakslee and daughter-in-law Lisa Blakslee of Parker, Colo. Grandchildren are Sarah and Andy Zorn of Arizona, Joshua McGuire of Texas, Katy McGuire of California, Kelsey McGuire of Illinois, and Amy, Alex and Molly Blakslee of Colorado.

Katy passed away peacefully at home in her apartment at Las Fuentes of pulmonary fibrosis after a year of loving caring service from YRMC Hospice.

A memorial service to celebrate Katy's life will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, at Chapel Rock Episcopal Church Camp, 1131 Country Club Dr., Prescott.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to YRMC Hospice, 1003 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301.

Please visit and sign Katy's guestbook at www.ruffnerwakelin.com and leave a message for the family.

Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with final arrangements.

Information provided by survivors.


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