Your template reference variable is already unique because you use it inside embedded view scope:
<div *ngFor="let person of attendeesList">
<input #attendee [ngModel]="person.name" (blur)="person.name = attendee.value"/>
</div>
But you can even omit template reference variable as shown below:
<div *ngFor="let person of attendeesList">
<input [ngModel]="person.name" (blur)="person.name = $event.target.value"/>
</div>