Mary Eliza Yeager Blakeslee, always known as Molly, died of cancer January 13, 2015 in Williamsport, PA. She was born March 18, 1938, in Bellefonte, PA, a daughter of Jack H. & Eliza Curtin Yeager.
She began her career at the age of nine and continued writing news in junior high, high school, and college. Molly was a 1956 graduate of Bellefonte High School and a 1960 graduate of Penn State University, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. After graduation she interned and continued to work with Doubleday Publishing Company.
After her first marriage, to David Roger Bliss, she moved to Mount Kisco, New York where she worked as an editor for The Patent Trader. In 1981 as Lifestyle Editor of the Centre Daily Times, she won a Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Award for writing her column “Back Home”.
In 1984 she married Glenn L. Blakeslee Jr., of the Bellefonte High School Class of 1955, by then President Judge Charles C. Brown in his chambers. The couple began their marriage in Ocean City, New Jersey and then later moved to Philadelphia, before retiring in Williamsport.
After appearing in several dramas and comedies in high school, she began acting with the former SCCT, Boal Barn & Friends. She also appeared with the Acting Group directed by Ty Collins, a student of Lee Strasberg. Upon her retirement to Williamsport, she appeared in many productions with the Actors’ Group, under the direction of Tom and Jean Ryersbach.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughters Jennifer C. Bliss and her partner Michael Baugher of Dover, Anne S. Bliss of Bellefonte, and her former husband Michael Kresovich of Pleasant Gap; and her step-son Andrew N. Blakeslee and his wife Emma of Montreal, Canada. Affectionately known as “Granny” to her grandchildren, she leaves great memories with Emilie Breon; Jade Lose; Courtenaye, Mikey, and Griffyn Kresovich; Thomas and Victoria Miosi, and Laurel Blakeslee.
She is also survived by her siblings Susan Story of Muncy, Dr. Henry C. Yeager of Waverly, and Kathleen Gauche of Pleasant Gap.
Friends and family will be received Monday January 19, 2015, from 10:00-11:00 am, at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring St, Bellefonte, PA, with funeral services following at 11:00 am. A memorial service will be held in the spring, followed by burial in Eagle Cemetery, near Curtin Village.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Roland Curtin Foundation, P.O. Box 312 Bellefonte, PA 16823 or the Actors Group, c/o Tom and Jean Ryersbach 1357 Northway Road, Williamsport, PA 17701.
Online condolences may be made at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com.