BLAKELEY, Lorraine Marie 99, died on Easter Sunday morning, April 1, 2018 at Arbor Oaks at Tyrone, St. Petersburg, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert in 2004. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she graduated from Langley High School, attended art school and secretarial courses before working for Horne's Department Store as a bookkeeper. During WWII, she worked as a reservationist for the B&O Railroad.
After relocating to St. Pete Beach in 1956, she was a homemaker raising her two children and enjoying the beach life. Beginning in 1964 , she was a beloved pre-school teacher for the Pass-a-Grille Community Church for 12 years, retiring in 1976. She continued her other church activities such as playing the organ on the Annual Christmas Caroling Barge. She assisted in the design of the stained glass window in the rear of the Church's Sanctuary and the confirmation medallions.
Lorraine continued to display her natural artistic talent in pastel and oil, winning First Place Award in the Suntan Art Center's portrait and miniature art categories. She loved her dogs Beau and MacGregor, cats Inky and Poufie and enjoyed arranging and artfully displaying her beautiful angel collection and flower arrangements. She remained in her Belle Vista beach home until the age of 98, moving to Arbor Oaks, much to the delight of the nurses and aides who lovingly cared for her, many of her angels and family portraits she had painted decorated her spacious room.
She is survived by her son, Loren Blakeley and his wife Donna of South Pasadena, FL, her daughter Gale Reilly of Dade City, FL, and her son, Matthew Reilly of Orlando, out of state nephew, William Schwartz and nieces Cynthia Johnson and Jennifer Schwartz.
A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held at Beach Memorial Chapel, 301 Corey Ave St. Pete Beach, FL on her 100th birthday, April 8, 2018 from 3 to 6 PM. Memorial donations may be sent to Suncoast Hospice or no-kill animal shelters such as Pet Pals or the Humane Society of Pinellas County.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beachmemorialchapel.com for the Blakeley family.
