Blonnie Putnam-Ghafarian

Blonnie Suzanne Stilwell Putnam-Ghafarian Obituary Mint Hill, NC- Blonnie Suzanne Stilwell Putnam-Ghafarian, 67, of Mint Hill NC passed away Thursday July 20th, 2023 peacefully at home surrounded by the love of her family and friends following a battle with cancer. Blonnie was born on August 16th, 1955 in Charlotte NC to David Stilwell and Bobbie Rozzelle Stilwell. After growing up in Mint Hill she graduated from Independence High School. She went on to work for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for over 10 years. In 1988 she took a big career leap and started her own business in Road Construction, Carolina Cajun Concrete. SHe worked hard building a very successful business for 31 years before her retirement in 2019. In her 31 years in the local road construction industry she was considered a trail blazer for women in construction. Her commitment to her business was inspiring to others and proof of her mantra “You can do anything you want to if you want to do it bad enough.” Despite the challenges she faced in the construction industry she always managed to persevere and overcome the odds. She was often the only woman in the “room” and she never let that discourage her from taking her seat at the table. Blonnie also mentored other entrepreneurs and helped them build successful businesses of their own. Blonnie’s commitment to her work was second only to her commitment to her family. She was a devoted mother, stepmother, grandmother as well as an honorary mother to so many. It is not possible to count all the lives that she touched. She was always there for others if anyone needed to talk and sort out life. She also dealt out some tough love to those that needed a reality check. Blonnie was also deeply committed to her church. SHe was a longstanding member of St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church in Matthews NC. She served on the vestry of her church as well as numerous committees over the years. In 2019 Blonnie retired from her work and found a new love. She worked with Greyhound Friends of NC as a volunteer foster parent for retired racing greyhounds. The happiness and joy these dogs and their new families brought her is immeasurable. She fostered so many dogs and helped them find their new families and now jobs as “40 MPH couch potatoes” . Blonnie is survived by her daughters Gabrielle Ghafarina, Jessica Trigg, and Michelle Montgomery and husband James Montgomery as well as their two children Brian and Megan Montgomery; her mother Bobbie Rozzelle Stilwell; her sister in law Sue Stilwell, and nephew David Stilwell III. Blonnie was preceded in death by her father David Stilwell Sr; her brother David Lee Stilwell Jr; her niece Leah Stilwell; and her granddaughter Blonnie Madalynn Trigg. A Requiem Mass will be held for Blonnie at 11:00am on Saturday August 26th, 2023 at St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church at 2211 Margaret Wallace Rd, Matthews NC 28015. A reception will immediately follow.

Blonnie Putnam-Ghafarian

August 16, 1955 - July 20, 2023