Mary E. Blake

Mary Elsie (Wellman) Blake, age 89, of Columbus, Ohio passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She will be reunited with many loved ones in heaven, including her husband of 58 years, Gary. Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kendra and Paul Rockwell, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved people, travel, and was always up for an adventure. 

Mary also had a great love for her home state of Kentucky and remained close to family and friends in her hometown of Louisa. 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Flossie Wellman, her brothers Ken, Lucian, Jack, Loran, Buell, Lon and her sister Alice and infant brother Marvin. 

Her life was an inspiration of hard work, determination, love and faith in God. She was a proud member of Heritage Free Will Baptist church. She had a noteworthy career history, working for North American Rockwell in the 1960’s, then again during the building of the B1B in the 1980’s. She was the first woman hired by Lennox Industries in the early 1970’s, and she finished her working years at Kroger Bakery in downtown Columbus. She loved gardening and found her yard to be a sanctuary. Her memory will live on in the many people she impacted through her kindness and generosity. 

Family will receive friends, Saturday, November 22, 2025, beginning at 12 noon until time of funeral service at 2 p.m. at GRAUMLICH FUNERAL HOME, 1351 South High St., Columbus, Ohio 43207, with Rev. Dr. Tim W. Stout officiating. Interment to follow at Obetz Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, Mary asked that donations be made to Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, give.tithe or to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption davethomasfoundation.org this was an organization dear to her heart, as she and Gary adopted Kendra as an infant and they became a family that was meant to be.

To sign Mary's online guest book and leave a condolence for her family please visit www.graumlichfuneralhome.com