Marylouise Blanco

Click on the tribute wall above to view Marylouise's video tribute. Marylouise Nolan Caldwell Blanco, of Trenton Michigan passed away peacefully in her sleep early Saturday morning at Angela Hospice, just a month from her 96th birthday. Born to Grace (Swain) Beckner and James Nolan, in Detroit Michigan, on May 8, 1925. Marylouise spent her childhood in Detroit and summer visits to her grandmother, Mabel, in Manchester, MI. Marylouise had a full and varied life from being a terrific mom and homemaker to 20 years with the US Selective Service Board. Her early employment included an acetylene torch welder at the Willow Run Bomber Plant (yes, she’s a ‘Rosie’), sales in fashion and millinery, and a machine operator in a metal plating company. Marylouise excelled the most with her work in customer service (MI Consolidated Gas Co and Wyandotte Municipal Service) and as the probation department volunteers coordinator for the 33rd District Court, the 25th District Court, and probation department group trainer at the 27th District Court. Marylouise was involved civically in her children’s PTA’s, teaching Sunday School at Christ the Good Shepard Church, president of the MI Consolidated Gas Co Women’s Club, Boy Scout Den Mother, or active with Wyandotte Community Theater and the Downriver Arts & Crafts Guild. Many of us have works of her’s gracing our homes. In addition to her art and photography Marylouise had a love of gardening and always seemed to have a garden overflowing with sweet summer blooms. Marylouise has spent a lifetime exploring her spirituality and in doing so was a member of the Catholic, Unity, and Methodist Churches as well as various metaphysical organizations. Marylouise has four children; James Caldwell of New Mexico, John (Manelle) Caldwell II of South Carolina, Mary (Larry) Wodzien of Traverse City, and Timothy Caldwell of Detroit. She is blessed with 6 grandchildren: Broc (Elise) Wodzien, Grace (Nick) Recchia, Kelsey (Dave Michalski) Wodzien, and Claire Wodzien, Erin Caldwell, and Christine Caldwell. Those that helped create Marylouise’s quilt that is called life are niece Lauren (Bill) Garfield and their daughters, Kate and Rachel Garfield. Also, nieces Karen Siler and Penny Siler and nephew Christopher Siler. Nephews James Nolan and Donald Nolan, and their respective families, have been close with Marylouise over all the years. Marylouise also has great grandbabies Summer, Autumn, and Felix Blue Michalski, as well as Sofia Recchia. Marylouise had survived her parents, her beloved stepfather, James Beckner; as well as her older brother James ‘Earl’ (Florence) Nolan and younger sister Sheila Siler Baran and brother-in law Lloyd Siler. Having a full life creates the opportunity to love many and Marylouise was blessed to have married twice. Husband John Leo Caldwell, the father of her children, and John Gomez Blanco Jr.(Pappa John). They also contributed to the tapestry of her life. Marylouise has added numerous friends, that she loved like family, along the way. She never took for granted their friendships! There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, April 17th from 2-3 pm at Martenson Funeral Home on West Rd, Trenton, MI. At a future date Marylouise will join her mother at Marble Park Cemetery in Milan, MI. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial in Marylouise’s name to Angela Hospice or W.A.G. Animal Rescue.