Tom and Marian Blaney

Tom Bowers Blaney and Marian Mateer Thompson Blaney passed away peacefully in Fort Collins, Colorado, Marian on April 6, 2020, and Tom on November 15, 2025. They shared 57 years of marriage, a passion for music, and a deep love for their son.

Marian Mateer Thompson Blaney (July 1, 1930 – April 6, 2020)

Born in Pittsburgh on July 1, 1930, Marian grew up in small-town Pennsylvania. Her life was defined by her immense talent and dedication to music and education. Marian earned her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Ohio Wesleyan, followed by a Master's degree in Music Education from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, where she was honored with the prestigious Sullivan Award for Outstanding Graduate.

Marian dedicated the first part of her career to teaching vocal music for ten years in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. After relocating to Colorado Springs, she served as the Department Head at the Junior High level for four years. While supporting Tom's military career, Marian utilized her musical gifts by arranging and directing Women's Choruses at several military bases.

The family settled in Fort Collins by October 1973. While she directed the children's church choir briefly, Marian's true passion became accompanying. She served as accompanist at Fort Collins High School for three years, and then as the staff accompanist at Rocky Mountain High School for eight years. She later accompanied the Choice City Singers for nine years and continued her accompanying work in various elementary and junior high schools. Marian was an avid supporter of the arts, lending her skills as both a rehearsal and pit pianist for Children's Theatre productions and for musicals at Rocky Mountain High School. She was known for her love of working with children, especially teens, and her life-long love of music.

Beyond her musical pursuits, Marian enjoyed gardening, cross-stitch, painting watercolors, and reading.

Tom Bowers Blaney (December 18, 1927 – November 15, 2025)

Tom was born in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, on December 18, 1927, to Jessie Bowers Blaney and Fred Erwin Blaney, and graduated from Kittanning High School in the class of 1945.

Tom’s distinguished career in service and engineering began on July 1, 1945, when he entered the U.S. Navy. After his discharge on July 15, 1946, following the end of World War II, he attended Indiana State Teachers College in Pennsylvania for one year. Tom entered the New York State Maritime College in September 1947, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering.

He then entered the U.S. Air Force on March 1, 1951, as a pilot and aircraft and missile maintenance officer. During his 19-year career, Tom served a combat tour in Korea, flew the F-80 for three years in Germany, and spent a year on Johnston Island working with missile maintenance, among other assignments. He retired on March 1, 1970, and his service was recognized with several honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Air Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the UN Service Medal.

Upon retiring from the military, Tom and his family moved to Fort Collins. Tom was proud to be employed as a mechanical engineer with the "new" Eastman Kodak Company, where he worked from July 19, 1971, until his retirement on June 30, 1989. In his retirement, Tom was a frequent and dedicated volunteer at Poudre Valley Hospital. He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed woodworking.

A Life Together

Tom Blaney married Marian Mateer Thompson on August 18, 1962, in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.

Tom and Marian are survived by their son, Dr. David Blaney, of Georgia.

A memorial service to commemorate the legacy left by the Blaneys will be held Tuesday, December 16, 2025, starting at 4:00 pm, at Allnutt Funeral Service - Drake Road Chapel, located at 650 W Drake Road in Fort Collins, CO. A light reception will follow. Interment will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver on Thursday, December 18, 2025, with full military honors for Tom.