Florence M. (Lowney) “Puv” Blair, 100, of 1103 Pine Street, Marquette, entered eternal life Saturday evening, December 10, 2005, at her home.

Born January 9, 1905 at the family home in Marquette, a daughter of Stephen and Laura (Wanberg) Lowney, Puv was raised in Marquette and was a graduate of the Graveraet High School. She then enrolled at Northern Normal (now Northern Michigan University), receiving her teaching certification. Puv moved to Ecorse where she was employed in the local school system as an elementary teacher, a position she held for over 45 years. Following her retirement, she worked in the Wyandotte School System for another 10 years as an elementary teacher before retiring from that system. During her time in Ecorse and Wyandotte, Puv and her husband, Leo, owned and operated a drug store in Southgate. Following his death in 1973, she spent the winter months in Southgate and summer months in Marquette, until 2004 when she remained in Marquette year round. Known as the “Animal Lady” due to her vast assortment of animal lawn ornaments at the corner of Pine and Magnetic Streets, Puv also enjoyed gardening. She was a member of St. Peter Cathedral.

Survivors include:

Two nieces: Mary (Cliff) Engman and Kaleen Bianchi both of Marquette

Two nephews: Quinn (Patricia) Peterson of Phoenix, AZ and Dan J. (Barbara) Peterson of Southern California

In addition to her parents and husband, Puv was preceded in death by four sisters, Irene Lowney, Elizabeth Lowney Peterson, Laura Mae Lowney, and Grace Lowney; and a brother, Stephen “Dede” Lowney.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Cathedral on Tuesday morning, December 13, at 11:00 am with Rev. Msgr. Louis Cappo, rector, as celebrant. There will be no visitation. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery.