Mary Francis Blanford; Once Owned Music Store

Mary Francis Blanford, whose love of music led her to open a Ventura shop called “The Music Box” in the mid-1950s, died Sunday following a long illness. She was 78.

Blanford was born May 11, 1919, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the child of Irish immigrants.

When she was 24, she married and moved with her husband to Ventura. The couple opened The Music Box music store on Main Street, and although the shop eventually closed, her love of music continued.

“She loved opera,” said John Baker of Ventura, her son-in-law. “She had a complete collection of Caruso’s recordings, and she would play them and sing along.”

She also had a love of politics, and was active in the local Democratic Party, he said.

“She was definitely Irish--very fiery,” Baker said. Her nicknames were “Clancy” and “Red,” he said.

“She loved children,” according to Baker. “Our three were always over there, visiting, having meals, spending the night. She practically raised them.”

Blanford is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and John Baker of Ventura; sons Thomas of Ventura and John of Bellingham, Wash; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.