Velma Lue Blake

Velma Lue Blake made the world’s best pumpkin cookies.

She was born Velma Lue Lyman on February 12, 1931, in Teasdale, Utah, a daughter of the late James Bernard and Nelda Lavern (Cook) Lyman. She died peacefully at home on March 11, 2025, at the age of 94 in West Jordan, Utah.

The family moved to Salt Lake when her mother remarried Ronald Ross MacKenzie, who became her adopted father.

Velma married Robert (Bob) G. Blake, who had just returned from his service in the Navy, only two days after she graduated from South High School. Her parents insisted she graduate before marriage; Bob and Velma were a devoted couple for 63 years. Bob passed away in 2011.

Bob and Velma raised four children in Midvale, Utah: Deborah (Thomas) Sharp, Sandi (Eric) Blake-Clinkscales, Edward (Linda) Blake, and Gordon Blake. She is survived by 13 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind countless friends that loved and admired her. There was always room in her heart for everyone. Velma was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

At the age of 91 Velma was elected South High’s Homecoming Queen. She also boasted that during her high school years, she and her girlfriend could beat all the boys on the tennis court. She always had amazing gardens, read thousands of romance novels, scolded you when you made a mistake playing cards or made the wrong move in a board game and was a world-class cook. Velma accomplished many things in her lifetime, but the deliciousness of her pumpkin cookies cannot be overstated.

She requested a small private service.