Blackstone, Mary C., 84, July 8, 2014. Interment was held in the Fairview Cemetery, Perham. Arrangements by Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE & JACKSONVILLE, FL – Mary Catherine Blackstone, 84, known to family and friends as “Cathy”, slipped into the Lord’s presence in the early hours of July 8, 2014, at a Jacksonville, FL, healthcare facility. She was born on January 10, 1930, in San Antonio, TX, the daughter of Ray and Mary Jo West.
At the age of 8 years old, she responded to the Lord’s call as a missionary to Mongolia. Because of the war in China, when Bernard Blackstone of Perham proposed, he asked her to seek the Lord’s direction for missions in Japan, and if so, would she consider going as his wife. She married Bernard on June 2, 1952. They went to Japan as newlyweds, serving as missionaries to Japan 1952-1976.
After Bernard’s passing on Nov. 18, 1976, Cathy resided in Presque Isle and taught in the Presque Isle High School Adult Education Program. She was part of the Presque Isle Full Gospel Assembly Church for many years. She was an avid horseman as a child, enjoyed gardening, sewing and cooking for family and friends, family devotions, and was always a missionary at heart.
She is survived by two daughters, Sarah Blackstone of Tokyo, Japan, and Mary Wright of Raleigh/ Durham area, NC; two sons, John Blackstone and his wife, Carol of Perham, and Philip Blackstone and his wife, Gwen of Jacksonville, FL; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Frances Page and her husband, Leslie of Nashville, TN; numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
Cathy was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Bernard; a brother, Bryan; and three precious grandchildren.
Relatives and friends called 6-8 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2014, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church Street, Presque Isle. Funeral services were held 1 p.m., Tuesday, at Washburn Pentecostal Church with Rev. Bruce Blakney officiating, and area pastors contributing. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Perham.
Donations may be made in her memory to Assemblies of God World Missions Memorial Fund, Acct. 8911661 (46), 1445 North Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
