Cecilia Maria Blandford (affectionately known as "ChiChi") was born Cecilia Maria Castañon on December 29, 1961, to Pablo Antonio Castañon and Nora Elisa Carbajal in Tacna, Peru. She was educated in the Santa Ana Catholic School and attended The Institute of Arts.

After receiving her education, Cecilia was a Bank Executive in a major bank in Peru before entering the United States in the year 2000. Cecilia's greatest joy in life was traveling and spending time with family.

She leaves behind to cherish her loving memory her husband, Robert Wesley Blandford; children, Manfred Scott (wife, Stefania), Yakini Blandford, Rashad Blandford, and Mariah Blandford; grandchildren, Alice Scott, Darin Blandford, and Jaelen Blandford; siblings, Pablo Antonio Castañon, Maria Elisa Castañon, and Gabriela Castañon de Jara; sister-in-law, April Jeanette Jones; nieces, Daniela Castañon and Sandra Castañon; nephews, Oscar Jara, César Jara, Sean Jones, and Shannon Jones; and a host of extended family members and friends.