Mary Blomquist's Obituary
A Beauty of European Heritage
Mary Bukovich learned very early in life the value of family and the importance
of being earnest. Born in Carbonado, Washington in 1920 to Czechoslovakian
parents, she grew up quickly as the only daughter and the official family translator.
At a young age Mary looked after her two brothers Mike and Rudy and met
with bankers to review family finances. In her late teens they moved to a farm in
Orting. As the family moved about the state to live in Fairfax and Orting, she
grew into a studious, dutiful and very self-sufficient young lady.
Smart, Independent and Adventurous
Values formed during the Great Depression stayed with Mary throughout her
life. She was a no-nonsense gal one who worked hard to achieve everything she
set her mind to. Not only did she graduate from Sumner High School, she became
her class Valedictorian. Mary started Beauty School in California, but returned
home to be with her mother after her father’s death at the young age of
58. She tried her hand at sales to help support the family but then discovered real
joy working as a welder in the shipyards during the war.
When guitar-playing, fun-loving Winton Blomquist returned from his WWII service
in the Philippines, one introduction was all it took for Mary to discover her
soul mate. They were married in 1948 and moved into their first apartment then
an unheated rental “box” in Tacoma. Mary easily settled into the role of wife and
homemaker and then to the role of mother, to Dan, Kathy and Jody.
The Houses That Winton and Mary Built
There was music and much happiness in the two homes Winton constructed himself
over the following years. Mary tended a vegetable garden and fruit trees and
created annual traditions of canning and preserving. Out of necessity as much as
from desire, she learned to decorate their home herself, sewing drapes and upholstering
furniture. Nothing was wasted. She became an adept seamstress, once
fashioning a cowgirl outfit to the delight and surprise of her daughter Jody, who
was initially led to believe she was just trying it on for another lucky girl.
Mary loved to read and was known to stay up late absorbed in a good novel, yet
she was always early to rise. She was never sick and never one to complain. Living
by ‘The Golden Rule’ was simply understood, and good behavior expected.
“Yee Gads!” she would exclaim to her children and later, to her grandchildren
when they became unruly, “Simmer down!” Mary was dedicated to looking after
everyone else. She made sure there were freshly baked cakes and cookies to be
enjoyed by all, and was particularly skilled in the stewed-chicken-and-noodles
department. Even though she was not the outdoorsy type, she was at the helm of
countless family outings and activities, organizing picnics at Long Lake, clam
digging at the beach and trips to Grandmother’s farm. Very special occasions
called for buffet dinners at Brad’s Restaurant or hamburgers, fries and shakes at The Dairy Diner.
Oh! How They Danced
Winton loved to socialize, while Mary was more of a private, low-key individual.
Everywhere, that is, except at the Elks Club or the Seniors’ Center: Mary and
Winton knew how to cut a rug on the dance floor. They both loved Big Band-era
music, listening to Mitch Miller and watching Lawrence Welk. Unfortunately a
serious car accident, slowed down the dancing and may have been the root of
Mary’s chronic back pain that required two back surgeries in later years.
There are many lessons to be learned from Winton and Mary’s 62-year marriage.
They forged a real partnership founded on devotion and hard work. Losing her
husband in 2010 was devastating for Mary and the past years without him were
very difficult. As we now mourn the loss of Mary, it’s easy to imagine that they
are united in eternal dance. Mary is also predeceased by her son Dan. For daughters
Kathy and Jody, grandchildren Andrea and Jamie and Andreas’ two children,
there will always be the treasured glass-front cabinet that Grandma had
since the early 1900s to evoke fond memories of this very kind, loving individual.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?