Blackburn

Marjorie “Marge” Doreen Blackburn, 84, of Folsom, Calif., passed away on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

She was born on Dec. 31, 1938, in Luton, Bedfordshire, England.

Marge was married to James H. Blackburn for 50 years preceding his death in 2008. James served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, and as a military family they lived in England, Germany, Finland and the United States.

Upon retiring, they settled in Pennsylvania where they raised their family and created a successful business together, Ambassador House Upholstery. Following her husband’s death, she moved to California to reside with her daughter.

Marge was a talented quilter and seamstress who enjoyed many textile arts including cross-stitch, crochet and knitting. She tended lovingly to her extensive collection of succulent plants and spent afternoons catching up on her favorite British television series. She was an avid reader who enjoyed a cleverly written mystery and delighted in chatting with her great-grandchildren and watching videos of babies and animals. Her other interests included difficult crosswords, daily Wordle and landscape puzzles.

She served her community for many years as a volunteer at the Butler VA Medical Center.

Marge arranged for her body be gifted to a non-transplant tissue bank for medical research, training and educational programs. A tree sapling will be planted in honor of her choice to donate.

Marge is survived by her son, Keith R. (Lisa); and her daughter, Karina L. Minteer (Gary). She was a proud grandmother to Jocelyn R. Blackburn, Colin J. Blackburn (Abigail) and Kendall T. Minteer; and great-grandmother to Adeline R. Blackburn and Charlotte B. Blackburn. Also surviving are her sister, Joy Mayhew (Paul); and a large extended family in both the U.S. and England.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, Percy William Claridge and Marjorie Irene Claridge (née Marhoff); her beloved husband, James H. Blackburn; her grandson, Robert W. Blackburn; her brothers, John Claridge and Robert “Neil” Claridge; and a sister, Davina Skardon.

A celebration of Marge's life will be planned for a later date.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.