Marilyn Ross Blum, "Lynn," passed away peacefully on December 29, 2012 while residing at Brookdale Place in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Lynn was born March 4, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois, and was proud of being a 3rd generation Chicagoan. She was the daughter of the late Samuel McNutt Ross and Edna Page McDevitt Ross. She graduated from Senn High School in 1933, and from Cornell College in 1937 with a major in French. She worked as a stenographer at the Harris Trust and Savings Bank from 1938 to 1949. During WWII, she volunteered as a nurses aid after work, and then took a leave from the bank from 1945 to 1947 to volunteer with the Red Cross Overseas Club Dept. to be a "doughnut dolly" in Europe. After marriage to Grant E. Blum in 1949 and moving to Elmhurst, Illinois, she had to leave the bank. Since Lynn joined the Girl Scouts of America in 1927, she returned to volunteer with the Girl Scouts. She was honored as a lifelong member after 50 years of service. She became active with the League of Women Voters, and also was honored as a lifelong member. She volunteered with the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, and was a den leader with the Cub Scouts. In 1978, she and her husband retired and moved to Wausau, Wisconsin. She continued to be active with the Girl Scouts, and with the League of Women Voters. She joined the First Universalist Unitarian Church, where she was an active volunteer. She volunteered at the Wausau Hospital. Lynn was a meticulous recycler, and was treasurer of the Community Recycling Cooperative from 1982 to 1989. In 1990, she moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to live with her son, Frederick A. Blum, and "the best daughter in law in the world" Nancy J. Oyer-Blum, step grandson, Daniel Burciago, "the best dog in the world," Truffles, and eventually grandson, Zachary G. Blum, born in 1994. She remained active in the local Girl Scout Council, and the Pikes Peak Region League of Women Voters. She attended and volunteered at the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. She was a volunteer at Memorial Hospital, and was the neighborhood recycler. She will be missed. She is survived by son, Fred Blum, daughter in law, Nancy Oyer-Blum, grandson, Zachary Blum, step grandson, Daniel Burciago, and "that" dog, Blanco. A service will be held at the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 730 N. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO 80907, Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 4 PM. Lynn requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Girl Scouts of America or to the All Souls Unitarian Church.
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Leanna and I went to Marilyn's memorial service at All Souls UU Church tonight and I listened intently to all who spoke of their memories of Marilyn.
Here are my comments:
Marilyn was a fan. No matter what you were doing or what you were involved in, she was supportive of you and behind your efforts. I was involved in the Heretics, the Church Softball Team. Marilyn was always there, cheering us on and keeping score, play by play, win or lose.
I feel Marilyn was a-political. She surely had her feelings and beliefs, but she never intruded those upon yours and never commented one way or another.
She was, however, definite in her beliefs and feelings. You never wondered or questioned where she stood on just about everything.
She was as solid as a rock- no doubt about it!
Marilyn was a creature of habit and I loved her for that. She always sat in a certain spot and we could look out from the choir loft and find her there. She kept track of where things were and where they belonged or what needed to be put away and turned off. She was not shy about "helping you" put things in their place.
96 years is a good long time to be here on this plane and she touched many of us during that passage of time...
Marilyn, you will be missed, but never forgotten.
Dennis and Leanna Beebe
January 23, 2013
Marilyn Blum was a unique individual, whom I had deep respect for. She showed fierce individualism, without pretense. One knew who she was, from one's initial conversation with her. One does not find too many people in life who exemplify that characteristic. I value having known her--yes, really known her.
Leanna Beebe
January 23, 2013
On behalf of the Memorial Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and Staff, I would like to express our sincere condolences to the Blum Families, upon Marilyn's passing. It is especially hard for us to say good-bye to one of our valued and dedicated Memorial family members, but know that our thoughts are with Blum family and friends. Her kind smile and thoughtfulness to others will live on through the people's lives she touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we hope you find comfort during this difficult time of loss. Sincerely, Cary Blanchette, Executive Director Memorial Hospital Foundation
Memorial Hospital Foundation
January 10, 2013
Auntie Marilyn was so precious to me and my family! Her infectious laugh, that undying love for the Girl Scouts and the UU Church always made my think about the things in my life that I needed to make a long time commitment to. She was so attentive to my family, loved my children, and was only a phone call away always answering with her own phone number which made me laugh. When my son got married at All Souls one bitterly cold and snowy January, she was one of only six that braved the -12 to attend. We loved her very much and will always hold her very close to our hearts. A part of our family is now gone too. Love you, Marilyn.
Lynn & Jim Lansford
January 9, 2013
Lynn was a special, wonderful person!! I have known her for forty four years. I met her in Elmhurst through Girl Scouting, then continued our friendship when she moved to Wausau where I had moved to another position in Girl Scouting. She was a joy!!
Kathy Paul
January 7, 2013
What a great spirit! Marilyn will be missed in so many ways. Really love the photo you selected for the obituary.
Julie Willis
January 6, 2013
I had the good fortune to work with Marilyn on some political issues in the '80's and always enjoyed her smile and sense of humor. My condolences to her family and friends-I know she will be missed.
Cathy Reilly
January 4, 2013
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