Mary Martha Blake

Mary Martha Blake passed away on October 2, 2023. She was the oldest of 3 children and she was known to everyone as "Marty".

She was born on March 30, 1934, in Los Angeles and was raised on a successful family-owned chicken ranch. When the ranch in Rialto, California burned down, the family lived on their boat built by their father in Newport Beach while the new ranch was being constructed. She often told stories of Humphrey Bogart’s boat docked next to theirs. Her family moved to a new ranch in Torrance, California where she worked from a young age all the way through high school. It was at St. Anthony High School in Long Beach where she met her husband, Tom. Her friends dared her to ask Tom out to the Sadie Hawkins dance their sophomore year and they've been together ever since. After earning her AA degree at Long Beach City College, she went on to work as an executive secretary for the president of McDonald Douglas. She married Tom in 1957 and they had their first child the following year. Her job then became mother, homemaker, and bookkeeper for her husband's optometry practice. She had four more children and the family have lived in their beautiful home in Long Beach for over 60 years, where so many celebrations and family memories were created.

Marty and family have been members of St. Cyprian Parish since before the current church was built. All 5 children attended school at St. Cyprian where Marty attended daily mass, helped in the sacristy, and volunteered at lunch duty at the school. Here faith was inspirational and a huge part of her life.

She is the matriarch of her loving family, leaving behind a legacy of 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Marty loved people and sports and she could throw a great party. She was loved by all who met her because of her graciousness, her quick wit, and ability to make you smile. Her infectious spirit is legendary and will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401