Obituary Of Jennifer “Jenny” Blake

Jennifer Jean Rayburn was born on November 10, 1948, in Evansville, Indiana. She was a devoted daughter to the late Charles Rayburn and Jean Bartholome Rayburn. She attended Holy Rosary Catholic grade school and graduated from Reitz Memorial High School in 1966.

She met the love of her life, Michael Francis Blake, at Holy Rosary Church in August of 1971. They married on February 17th, 1973, at St. Ben’s Catholic Church. Thus, began her career of 47 years as the ultimate caretaker. The true Matriarch of the Blake Family, Jenny’s love and devotion to their Father was the greatest gift she gave her children. Her incredible faith guided her through life as a truly “good and faithful servant.”

Fiercely loyal and protective of her family and friends, everyone gravitated to Jenny’s listening ear. Her wisdom and insight, her darling “accent” and unending curiosity about whoever was lucky enough to be on the other side of the conversation with her was a gift. Her empathy and unconditional love and acceptance made her everyone’s favorite.

She was an avid reader, a true sports fan, and loved her social media. On Sundays after mass, you could count on her and Mike being glued to the TV watching football, specifically Tom Brady. She was the ultimate cheerleader for her children, whichever team they were playing or coaching for. She carried that on for her grandchildren, making every game she could or following online. She mastered the art of Twitter to stay up to date on all their games, and you could always count on a tweet or text win or lose, about how good you looked on the sideline or how well you played.

Jenny is survived by her husband, Mike, and their four children and their spouses. Christine and Jeff Utzinger, of Carmel, IN; Michael and Casey Blake, Evansville, IN; Billy and Beth Blake, Fishers, IN; and Patrick and Diana Blake, Richmond, KY. “Mimi” was the light of her nine grandchildren, Jennifer, Jeffrey, and George Utzinger; Millie, Mick, and Tommy Blake; and Ella, Will, and Charlie Blake and was each of their biggest fans.

She is also survived by her three incredible brothers, who dearly loved her and whom she adored, Chuck and Sheila Rayburn, Des Moines, IA; Mike and Sue Rayburn, Evansville, IN; and Pat and Kerrye Rayburn, Evansville, IN. She cherished the role of being “Aunt Jenny” to all her Rayburn nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by four sisters in law: Mary Catherine and (Jim) Stock, Naperville, IL; Pat and (Tom) Blake, Phoenix, AZ; Mary and (George) Blake, Western Springs, IL; and Pat and (Bill) Blake, Willow Springs, IL; and nineteen nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 6, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave. with a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Benedict Cathedral from 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 9:00 a.m., Fr. Bernie Etienne officiating. Due to the current pandemic, the funeral service will be streamed live on the St. Benedict Cathedral and School Facebook page, beginning 5 minutes before the service.

Memorial contributions may be to St. Vincent de Paul Crisis Fund, 809 N. Lafayette St., Evansville, IN, 47711.

Our family wishes to express our sincerest appreciation to the entire medical staff at Ascension Hospital of Evansville, particularly the COVID ICU Unit.

Condolences may be made online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com.