Louise Rich

Marion Louise (Blackwell) Rich passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026, after a brief illness. Louise was born June 19th, 1933, to Katherine Elizabeth Short and Joseph Franklin Blackwell in Doylesville, Virginia. She grew up in Doylesville with her two sisters, Mary and Dot, and often helped in her parents' store, P. E. Blackwell & Son general country store and Post Office in Doylesville. She was proud to be the third generation to live in the home of her beloved grandparents. More than anything else in the world, Louise cherished time with her family and friends, and we cherished time with her. Family gatherings at “Grandma’s House” could regularly top twenty people for just a regular weekend get-together. It was a blessing to her and her family that she lived all of her 93 years at home. She hiked into her 80s, gardened into her 90s, and even a few days before her passing, enjoyed her weekly workout at physical therapy.

Before retiring, she worked for 25 years as a medical secretary at UVA. She worked for several doctors over the years and eventually became a medical secretary to the head of the Department of Surgery. She spoke often about how advocating for patients was her favorite part of the job. The bonds with her work friends were lifelong and renewed at their regular lunch dates, which she loved attending. In her retirement, she was very active with Mt. Moriah Church, volunteering with the Women’s Guild and many other church events over the years. She spoke often about how in her younger years, she enjoyed sports, especially softball, helping her grandmother in her garden, and playing with her many cousins. During her time in Bethlehem, PA, she especially loved the camping trips she and her young family took with friends throughout the Northeast and Canada. Moving back to Doylesville in her forties and starting her life over by putting herself through night school and getting her job at UVA was a source of immense pride for her and her family.

When family and friends think of Louise, Louty, Mom, Grandma, Grammy, Mom Mom, Aunt Louise, or Nana (she had many aliases), her love of family stories, cooking, nature, gardening, and animals (wild and tame and of all shapes and sizes) comes to mind. She handed down recipes from her grandmothers and cared for plants in her garden that have been there for generations. She especially loved her black walnut tree and how it saved the house during a flood in 1942. She would help any injured creature she could, from kittens and ducks when she was younger to the bugs stuck in her house as she got older. Always trapped in her trusty bug cup and set free, often to re-enter a few minutes later. Her love of animals is a trait she’s passed on to her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. She especially loved her two kitties, Primrose and Kipsy, her many “grand-dogs,” and all the cardinals, hummingbirds, finches, and very well-fed squirrels that frequented the bird feeders around her home.

She could tell you stories on the porch for hours while also listening intently to yours, cook the best French toast (and pretty much everything else!), and tell you what the weather was going to do just by looking at the clouds going over the mountain. Louise saw the best in everyone, even when they might not have been able to see it in themselves. We hope her examples of gentle strength, unconditional love, and all the many, many memories are a blessing to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed.

Louise is survived by her son, Doug and his wife Marcia, grandchildren Kaitlyn and her husband Austin Bening, Loren and her husband Josh Yerger, Callen, and Devan, and great-grandson Maverick Yerger; her son Rodney and his wife Judi, grandchildren Brandi and her husband Carl Duffy, Rodney and his wife Amanda, and great-grandsons Travis Duffy and his wife Saige, and Jonathan; her son Zack and his wife Cindy, and grandsons Anthony and his wife Hannah, and Jacob, and incoming great-grandson Sawyer; her daughter Kathy, and granddaughter April and her husband Andrew “Bunky” Bishop; her daughter Dawn and her husband Sean Ryan, and furry granddaughters Mishka and Mila; devoted friend Joan Kirby; and many special nieces and nephews. Louise was predeceased by her parents, Lizzie and Joe Blackwell; sisters Dorothy Lee Blackwell Hoffman and Mary Ellen Blackwell Sheridan; brothers-in-law Bob Hoffman and Phil Sheridan; her sons-in-law Norman Bowen and Donald Woodson; daughter-in-law Darla Shiflett Rich; and her great-grandson, Jace.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Mount Moriah Church, 4492 Garth Road, in Crozet. Interment of cremated remains will be immediately after the service, followed by a reception at the church social hall. Teague Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements. A visiting hour will be held at the church starting at 10 a.m. before her service. Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to the Wildlife Center of Virginia or Mt. Moriah Church in memory of Marion Louise Blackwell Rich.