Rose Jean Spencer Block, 88, of St. Petersburg, Fla., passed away Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 in Clearwater, Fla.

She was born in July 15, 1922 in Indianapolis.

Jean spent her childhood years in Crawfordsville and St Petersburg, Fla.  She graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1940, where she was second in her class of 487 students.  Jean graduated with distinction from Indiana University in 1943 with a BS degree in Business Management.  During college Jean received the Ruby A pin for the highest GPA in her Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and received Mortar Board recognition from I.U.  She was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Honorary, Alpha Lambda Delta Honorary, Chi Gamma and Omicron Delta. 

Jean married Charles H. Block in 1946.  Charles is the son of the late Amelia and Henry Block of Fort Branch.  His banking career took them from Montgomery County to Palm Beach County, Fla. in 1955 and then to Pinellas County, Fla. in 1965. They had many wonderful years together.  Jean and Charles had two children, Shirley and Roger. 

Jean was a homemaker and helped her husband with his many business projects. She also taught elementary school for seven years.  Jean carried on her family’s tradition of closeness and devotion to family.  She was a kind, loving, and thoughtful mother who always had time to listen without being judgmental.  Her faith was a very important part of her life and she was an active member of the Seminole United Methodist Church in Seminole, Fla.  She always tried to live her life according to the teachings of Jesus.  Our mother was truly a good person. 

Jean and Charles traveled extensively around the world, visiting all seven continents and more than 100 countries.  Jean was most proud of their two trips when they took their entire family, including five grandchildren, to see some of their favorite places in the world.  In 1987, the family went to England, Egypt, and on safari to Kenya and Tanzania and in 1991 the family flew around the world and visited France, India, Nepal, Thailand, China, Japan and Korea. 

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Charles; daughter, Shirley Gould (Ken), of Clearwater, Fla.; a son, Roger Block (Lori), of Eden Prairie, Minn.; five grandchildren; Chad Gould (Crystal) of Largo, Fla., Ryan Gould (Claudia) of New York City, Jenny Lisek (Chris) of Clearwater,  Fla. Jason Block (Jill) of Carver, Minn., Jamey Kline (Nick) of Wesley Chapel, Fla.; eight great-grandchildren, Isabella, Rebecca and Brianne Block, Olivia Kline, Spencer and Matthew Lisek, Ruby and Charlie Gould.  We all love you and you will be missed. 

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24 at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Fort Branch. Stodghill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.