Lee Ann “Bubbles” Blaney, 93, passed away on April 9, 2026, surrounded by family.

Lee Ann was born February 20, 1933, in New Liberty, Colorado, on the kitchen table of the family farmhouse just eight miles east of the Colorado–Utah border in Mesa County. She was the youngest of Clem Maluy and Mary Darrow Maluy’s four children, all of whom were raised on the family homestead. She was one of the few remaining original residents of New Liberty. 

Lee Ann was given the nickname “Bubbles” as an infant. After a difficult childbirth, her mother spent time recovering at a nurse’s home, and during that period the baby earned her nickname because she blew bubbles constantly. The family waited to name her until Mary recovered. “Bubbles” proved to be the perfect name for someone with such a joyful, positive, can‑do spirit. A tough beginning soon blossomed into a remarkable life.

Lee Ann attended the New Liberty School through 8th grade and graduated from Fruita Union High School. She went on to study business at Mesa Junior College before beginning her career at Mesa Federal Savings and Loan.

In 1951, Bubbles met Bud Blaney, and on November 7, 1954, they married and began a journey that lasted until Bud’s passing in 1999. Together they built a life filled with waterskiing, golf, fishing, business ventures, mentoring, and—most of all—bringing joy and inspiration to their family. 

Lee Ann had a successful tenure at Mesa Federal Savings and Loan and was even offered a Vice President position. She chose instead to leave banking when she learned she was expecting her first son, Brett. She loved becoming a mother, and also maintained her passion for business. After Brett’s birth, she began acquiring residential real estate and eventually built a sizable portfolio, ten of which she continued to manage until her passing at age 93.

In addition to the rental business, Lee Ann and Bud founded Busy B’s Balloon & Novelty and Impact Promotional Products. Impact went on to great success and was honored by both the CMU Associated Student Government and the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce as Business of the Year. The company continues to thrive today.

Lee Ann was a magnificent entrepreneur, mentor, mother, grandmother, great‑grandmother, aunt, and beloved member of the Mesa County community. Her life will continue to be celebrated and remembered as an inspiration to many.

It sounds like a cliché, but there was truly no one like Lee Ann. She made you feel like you were the only person in the room, whether you were a beloved sibling, son, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend. She woke up with a song in her head every single morning, and if you were lucky enough to spend the night at her house, she would sing it to you that morning—“You Are My Sunshine,” “Mockingbird Hill,” “Has Anybody Seen My Gal?” She sang in her beautiful voice, in perfect pitch. It was the beginning of a perfect day. Our hearts are broken, but we also know that all she wanted for us was to be happy; so we are smiling through our tears.

Lee Ann is preceded in death by her father and mother; her brother and sister-in-law, Darrell and Beverly Maluy; her sisters, Phyllis Maluy Likes and Marilyn Maluy Pacheco; her brothers-in-law, Homer Likes and Chuck Pacheco; her niece, Cindy Maluy Baker; her nephews, Beau Pacheco and Dwight Darrell (“DD”) Maluy; her husband, Bud; and her beloved grandson, Sean Blaney, who passed just five days before her. Lee Ann is survived by her sons Brett (Andrea) Blaney and Brook (Shay) Blaney; granddaughter Meghan Blaney (Jake Gadbois); step-granddaughters Jolee and Jordan; great-granddaughters Madison, Karson, and Rylie; nieces Trudy Maluy Kareus, Retta-Marie Likes Bevans, Patty Maluy Christopher, Nancy Maluy Prosence, and Kathi Pacheco Blichfeldt; and nephews Dennis Likes and Darrell Pacheco. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Blaney & Maluy Family Scholarship Endowment at CMU, which funds scholarships for Mesa County students seeking an education in business and entrepreneurship.