Mary Ann Blackwell

Mary Ann (Parker) Blackwell, 87, of New Philadelphia left Friday, December 22, 2017 for a better place after an illness of Guillain Barre and lymphoma.

A daughter of the late Ambrose A. and Della Mary (Beckett) Parker, Mary Ann was born November 27, 1930 at Perry Township, Tuscarawas County.

Mary Ann attended grade school at Perry Township and graduated from high school at Freeport, Ohio in 1948.  She then worked in the downtown Montgomery Ward store in New Philadelphia.  On May 27, 1949, she married her late husband, Riley Blackwell.  After having four children, Mary Ann went back to work as a poll worker with the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections.  She retired from New Philadelphia Schools after working as an education aide for 15 years.

Mary Ann enjoyed researching her family genealogy and collecting recipes, but not using all of them by any means.  She was a member of the Church of Christ at New Philadelphia and taught children’s classes from many years.

Mary Ann is survived by her four sons, David (Debbie) Blackwell, Loren (Pamela) Blackwell, Keith Blackwell and Bruce Blackwell; four grandchildren, Derek, Sabrina, Jennifer and Nicholas Blackwell; one brother, Willis Parker; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Mary Ann is preceded in death by her loving husband, Riley; and her two siblings, James (Irene) Parker and Arlinda (William) Burns.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia.  A service will follow at 11:30 AM in the funeral home’s chapel with Minister Tim Hatfield officiating.  Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery at New Philadelphia.

The family would like to thank Mary Ann’s favorite nurse Barb, Dr. McFadden and Dr. Schmotzer.  They would also like to thank the staff at Community Hospice, especially Jill and Marissa.