Grace Marie Blair

Grace Blair, 78, of Bad Axe passed away peacefully at home on Monday April 4, 2022, with her family by her side.
Grace was born in Pigeon on December 8, 1943, the daughter of Elmer and Mary (Keim) Ropp. Grace attended the Michigan Mennonite School in Pigeon and graduated from Laker High School in 1962. She attended Eastern Mennonite College. She married John Blair on October 19, 1968. They were married 53 years and made their home and raised their children on the family farm.
Grace worked a variety of jobs with over 25 years at the Huron Intermediate School District office. Her retirement dream job was babysitting grandchildren and working at the Backstreet Quilt Shop, making quilts and helping others with theirs. Grace was known for her beautiful quilts, her world-famous cinnamon rolls, homemade bread and grape pie. She would spend several days baking before a YFC or Bay Shore Camp benefit auction and always had a stack of handmade quilts and wall hangings ready to give as gifts or for whatever benefit or church event that was happening. She was an extremely proud grandma to her 7 grandkids and enjoyed making them homemade gifts and attending their activities when she could. Grace was a member of the Thumb Area Antique Auto Club and was often seen cruising around with John in one of their classic cars or making homemade ice cream. She also loved being a part of the Pigeon River Mennonite Sewing circle making quilts for missions. Grace was an active and faithful member of the Elkton United Methodist Church where she took part in the UM Women and many other activities. Her church family was especially important to her. Grace’s faith was evidenced in her life as she strived to serve God and love others as Jesus would.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children Christopher (Julie) Blair of El Paso, Illinois, Leann (Mike) Austin of Essexville, and Mark (Kirsten) Blair of Seattle, WA. Grace’s legacy will live on in her grandchildren Lily, Ella, Lydia, Duncan and Malcolm Blair and Grace and Caleb Austin. Her brothers Duane (Elaine) Ropp of Pigeon, Leon (Patsy) Ropp of Bradenton, FL., sister-in-Law Mildred Ropp of Pigeon, brother –in-law Charlie Moyer of Winchester, Virginia, brother- in- law Coulson (Betty) Blair of Lexington. Many nieces and nephews. Grace was a good friend to many.
The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice and the kind, compassionate nurses and caregivers who cared for her these last few weeks. Grace has no more pain, no more suffering and has reached her heavenly home. Well done, good and faithful servant. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Elmer, Lyle, Harold and sisters Catherine and Carolyn.
A memorial service will be 11:00am Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Elkton United Methodist Church with Rev. Won Kim officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-8pm Wednesday, April 13th at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Pigeon.
Memorials may be made to Elkton United Methodist Church, Bay Shore Camp or Bluewater Thumb Youth for Christ.