Submitted by: Dan Rich

Marie Block

July 4, 1920 - July 9, 2008

South Bend Tribune 7/12/2008
SOUTH BEND - On the evening of July 9, Marie Block, passed peacefully from life surrounded by those who love her and whom she dearly loved. She was know for her warmth, kindness and generous spirit, all of which is evident by the name "Mama Marie" given to her by her children's friends, many of whom considered her home a second home. She was born Marie Louise Somes on July 4, 1920 in Salina, KS, the first child of Harriet and Charles Somes. She was a member of what is called the "Greatest Generation", whose characters were formed by the Great Depression and World War II. She knew deprivation and sorrow, the greatest of which was the loss of her son, Tom, on June 10, 1994. She also experienced the joy of being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and often told her friends of the pride she felt in her children and grandchildren. She graduated from St. Rose Academy in Vincennes, IN, in 1938 and would have attended her 70th High School Reunion in September of this year.

She was educated as a nurse at St. Anthony's Hospital in Terra Haute, IN, and later worked at St. Joseph Hospital, Mishawaka, from where she retired after 28 years. She worked many years for the St. Joseph County Democratic Party as an Election Day worker. She loved to travel and her family has many stories which revolve around the camping trips west to California, north to Canada for the World's Fair, and east to the Atlantic Coast. She also drove independently to California, Virginia, Texas and Florida to visit her son, Tom. For many years, she and her daughter Janis would "go Adventuring" by picking a state and then exploring - mostly "off the beaten path". Her fondest travel memory was their visit to Hawaii, a place she had always wanted to visit and realized her dream the year she turned 80; none of her traveling companions on the tour believed her age.

Her immediate family includes her husband, Jack; her daughter and frequent traveling companion, Dr. Janis Block of Flint, Michigan; her wonderful daughter, Melinda Block-Rasmussen and her husband Richard and son Sean of Midland, Michigan; Her loving sons and daughters-in-law, Doug and Karen of South Bend and Donald and Debbie (Ladyga) of Mishawaka. Her grandchildren are scattered across the country and Marie often express a desire to visit them: Travis and his wife, Nancy of Surprise, Arizona, Eric of Nashville, Tennessee, Kevin of Houston, Texas, Cory of South Bend and Sarah Block-Rust, her husband, Michael; and great-grandchildren, Cody, Kiya and Riley Rust all of Fall City, Washington. She was preceded in death by her son, Marine Major Thomas J. Block, formerly of California; sisters, Madeliene Szmanski of Florida, Ann McAlister of Kentucky and the late Rita Dixon of Arizona. Our loss is great, but we are sustained by loving memories and loving support of Marie's many friends.

On Sunday, July 13, from 2 to 6 p.m. the family will hold visitation to celebrate her exemplary life. A rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Please come to share happy memories and times together at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 1827 Ireland Road, South Bend, IN. A Mass of Christian Burial, with the Rev. Michael Heinz officiating at 11 a.m. Monday, July 14, in St. Matthews Cathedral, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend, IN. Her final resting place will be at Highland Cemetery, Portage Road, South Bend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care; Salesian Missions or the Greenhouse at Potowatomi Park.