Obituary for Mary Jean Bland Blundell
Mary Jean Bland Blundell, 80, passed away peacefully in New Braunfels, Texas on April 24, 2022. Mary was born on August 5, 1941, in San Antonio, Texas to Benjamin Franklin Bland and Merle Louise Mahan Bland, who precede her in death along with her brother, David Mahan Bland.
Mary is survived by her son, Clayton David Blundell; grandson, Peyton James Blundell; sister, Margaret Alice Napier and husband Patrick; sister-in-law, Neva Bland; nephews John David Bland and wife Dawn, Brandon Neill Napier and wife Jamie, Gary Lee Bland and wife Aeriel Comstock, Kevin Andrew Napier and wife Jennifer; grandnephews, Marshall David Bland and Andrew Stellan Napier; grandnieces, Cheyenne Nicole Bland and Evelyn Rose Napier. She is also survived by many cousins and friends.
Graduating from Edinburg High School in 1959, Mary went on to earn a BA in Secondary Education with teaching majors in English and Music from Southwest Texas State College in San Marcos in 1962. She later earned Library Certification from The School of Library Science at the University of Texas in Austin.
Mary taught English at Edinburg High School and Giddings High School and later worked as a librarian and media specialist at the Central Texas Educational Media Center in San Marcos and at Del Valle High School. She then accepted a position as Instructional Resources Consultant at the Education Service Center, Region XIII in Austin. During her many years in that position, she wore many hats, working with and training both teachers and administrators of many Texas school districts. In July of 1982 she accepted a job as a Division Manager of Administration and Personnel at The City of Austin, Water and Wastewater Utility, where she worked until her retirement in March of 1994.
In all of her jobs Mary excelled because of her skills, work ethic, and natural leadership ability. She earned the respect of many with her commitment to excellence, creativity, and fair treatment of all employees.
Being a strong Christian, she was active in the church throughout her youth. As an adult she was very supportive of Israel and the Jewish people. She often contributed to ministries that helped Jews to make Alliyah to Israel; she paid to have trees planted in Israel, and supported many Jewish ministries.
Mary was very creative, artistic, and skilled in arranging flowers, sewing, quilting, cooking, and baking cakes. She was also an excellent writer and had many other interests. Some of her greatest loves were reading, history, live theater, music, and pets.
As a child she learned to play the piano and would often play while her family gathered around the piano to sing hymns. She also played the clarinet in the Edinburg High School Band and had many memorable experiences as part of the band.
Mary was always generous, loving to send gifts to people. She made many friends wherever she went. She was an excellent teacher and mentor to many with whom she worked and a fierce advocate for the underdog. She exemplified the qualities of highly effective leaders, confidently guiding others, empathizing, encouraging, and celebrating successes. She will be greatly missed.
Mary is survived by her son, Clayton David Blundell; grandson, Peyton James Blundell; sister, Margaret Alice Napier and husband Patrick; sister-in-law, Neva Bland; nephews John David Bland and wife Dawn, Brandon Neill Napier and wife Jamie, Gary Lee Bland and wife Aeriel Comstock, Kevin Andrew Napier and wife Jennifer; grandnephews, Marshall David Bland and Andrew Stellan Napier; grandnieces, Cheyenne Nicole Bland and Evelyn Rose Napier. She is also survived by many cousins and friends.
Graduating from Edinburg High School in 1959, Mary went on to earn a BA in Secondary Education with teaching majors in English and Music from Southwest Texas State College in San Marcos in 1962. She later earned Library Certification from The School of Library Science at the University of Texas in Austin.
Mary taught English at Edinburg High School and Giddings High School and later worked as a librarian and media specialist at the Central Texas Educational Media Center in San Marcos and at Del Valle High School. She then accepted a position as Instructional Resources Consultant at the Education Service Center, Region XIII in Austin. During her many years in that position, she wore many hats, working with and training both teachers and administrators of many Texas school districts. In July of 1982 she accepted a job as a Division Manager of Administration and Personnel at The City of Austin, Water and Wastewater Utility, where she worked until her retirement in March of 1994.
In all of her jobs Mary excelled because of her skills, work ethic, and natural leadership ability. She earned the respect of many with her commitment to excellence, creativity, and fair treatment of all employees.
Being a strong Christian, she was active in the church throughout her youth. As an adult she was very supportive of Israel and the Jewish people. She often contributed to ministries that helped Jews to make Alliyah to Israel; she paid to have trees planted in Israel, and supported many Jewish ministries.
Mary was very creative, artistic, and skilled in arranging flowers, sewing, quilting, cooking, and baking cakes. She was also an excellent writer and had many other interests. Some of her greatest loves were reading, history, live theater, music, and pets.
As a child she learned to play the piano and would often play while her family gathered around the piano to sing hymns. She also played the clarinet in the Edinburg High School Band and had many memorable experiences as part of the band.
Mary was always generous, loving to send gifts to people. She made many friends wherever she went. She was an excellent teacher and mentor to many with whom she worked and a fierce advocate for the underdog. She exemplified the qualities of highly effective leaders, confidently guiding others, empathizing, encouraging, and celebrating successes. She will be greatly missed.