Marijo G. Blue

Marijo Gill Browne Blue, 96, of Columbus, Ohio, gracefully departed this world on February 20, 2025, with her daughter, Katelyn (husband Jeremy), holding her hand and Katelyn likely still trying to keep up with Marijo’s boundless energy. She lived a life so full, vibrant, and adventure-packed that we’re fairly certain she got at least two lifetimes’ worth of experiences in her 96 years…maybe even 3.

Born in Columbus on March 13, 1928, Marijo was, from the start, a force of kindness, love, and acceptance. A Kodak model in high school to help her parents recover financially from The Great Depression, she went on to become the face of The Ohio State University’s football stadium advertisements while earning her degree in art education. In the 1960s, she strutted down the runways of Dallas, modeling top designer collections for Neiman Marcus. Getting there, however, was its own adventure—Marijo didn’t learn to drive until she was in her early 30’s and her first car was a Volkswagen Beetle. She never truly loved driving, but that little Beetle got her to Neiman Marcus and back, proving that determination (and a good sense of style) could overcome any roadblock.

Marijo was incredibly proud of her heritage, especially the fact that she was 1/8th Cherokee. She carried that pride throughout her life, embracing the strength and resilience of her ancestors in everything she did.

While she may have looked effortlessly glamorous, Marijo’s true passion was art—especially oil on canvas—and teaching others to appreciate it. She passed down her talent and love for the arts as a teacher at Columbus School for Girls and later as the assistant director at the Columbus Museum of Art. But her most treasured role was being a mother to Katelyn (Browne) Kelley and a grandmother to Avery Kelley. When she and her first husband, Charles F. Browne, welcomed Katelyn into the world, Marijo pivoted from the art world to full-time motherhood—a role she tackled with love, humor, and occasionally (OK, honestly, it was more than occasionally) a little chaos. One legendary example: the time she and Avery turned every pillow and couch cushion in the house into a massive fort for an impromptu party. Jeremy returned home late that afternoon to find a massive pillow fort in the family room with Marijo and Avery giggling inside it with their faces covered in stickers and fake tattoos.

Marijo and Charles shared a beautiful 46-year marriage until his passing in 1998. Years later, in 2009, she found love again and married Warren G. Blue, a World War II Navy veteran. Though their time together was short, they shared a wonderful three years before Warren passed away in 2013. Warren and Charles were friends since their Sigma Chi fraternity days at The Ohio State University. Charles, Warren, Marijo, and Ellie (Warren’s first wife who passed in 2007) had all been the best of friends for 70+ years. Marijo saw the world through rose-colored glasses—not because she was naïve, but because she genuinely believed in the best of people. She never judged anyone, and if she ever had a negative thought, she certainly never voiced it. She was kindness personified, a true believer in second chances, and the kind of person who made everyone feel like they belonged.

Her adventurous spirit took her all over the world usually with Katelyn, including a casual getaway to Venezuela that just happened to coincide with a government coup, an unforgettable South African safari (elephant ride included), and a trip to London for her 90th birthday, where she set a sightseeing record (walked 12 miles in a single day) and proved that naps could be taken anywhere—Harrods, Selfridge’s, the occasional nice restaurant, black cabs, the London Underground, you name it. Jeremy has the photo evidence to prove it usually with him posing selfie-style next to a sleeping Marijo.

One event in Marijo’s life that affected her deeply occurred on November 22, 1963, when Marijo found herself in Dallas, TX standing on a certain parade route witnessing an event that changed our nation forever. It was the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and she was there, in the middle of it all albeit not on the grassy knoll with her very young daughter, Katelyn, on her hip.

Marijo was fiercely independent, living on her own until just two months before her passing. She tackled stairs like a champion, did “real not old person” (as she liked to say) Jazzercise well into her 80s, and never let age define her. She passed away with no regrets, having lived fully, loved deeply, and left an unforgettable mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Marijo is survived by her daughter, Katelyn, Katelyn’s husband Jeremy whom Marijo loved like a son, her one and only grandchild Avery, Jeremy’s dad Rick whom Marijo worried about incessantly as he lost his wife (Jeremy’s Mom) back in March 2024, and stepchildren Mike Blue, Jenny Avers, and Teresa Benedict.

Marijo loved dogs and they absolutely loved her. She had several over the years (Tut, Heller, Blue, Knox, and ShoeShoe) and her very last smile occurred when Jeremy and Katelyn’s beloved Corgi, Gracie, jumped up in her bed a little too enthusiastically and landed right on her stomach. Marijo took one look at Gracie and said “oh, there she is” with a huge smile on her face and Gracie, very proud of her ability to make humans feel better, immediately snuggled next to Marijo.

A memorial service will be held at Liberty Presbyterian Church (Marijo’s great grandfather x 6 helped found the church and was the first pastor) at 7080 Olentangy River Road, Delaware, OH 43015 on March 8, 2025, at 2 PM, with a reception to follow, also at the church. Marijo had a small sign in her kitchen that read “Why dance when you can boogie” so at her specific request her memorial service will include a “hot jazz” (again, her words) concert with 3 of her favorite musicians. Marijo will be inurned later in the summer at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., alongside her beloved first husband, Charles F. Browne, a World War II Army Air Force veteran.

In honor of Marijo, please wear something bright (yellow was her favorite color), embrace a little adventure, and take a nap in a slightly inappropriate place—she’d have loved that.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Luminary Hospice (2400 Corporate Exchange Drive Suite 110 Columbus, OH 43231), Liberty Presbyterian Church (libertybarnchurch.com), or any upstanding charity that benefits animals.