Thelma V. Block passed away unexpectedly on Friday night June 8th, 2018. Thelma was born June 20th, 1917, in Springfield, Ohio. She was one of the four children of Isaac and Pearl Levine. Thelma graduated from Stephens Woman’s' College, Columbia, Missouri. She then matriculated to Cornell University, Ithaca , N.Y. in the first class of women. She graduated with high honors in English in 1939. Upon graduation she moved back to Ohio and attended Ohio State University where she received her graduate degree in education. At that time she met her future husband Dr. Walter D. Block who she married and was his partner for 62 years until his death in January 2004. After a short time in Springfield, they moved to Ann Arbor, where her husband joined the faculty of the Medical School. During that time Thelma served for several years as an Assistant Registrar at the university. When World War began she decided to serve her country and became the Chief Financial and accounting officer at the Willow Run bomber plant until the war ended. During this time in Ann Arbor she started with Walter, his brother Dr. Malcolm Block and Dr. Jonas Salk and their wives the “Culture Club “at the Forest Plaza Apartments. Thelma was very active in the Faculty Woman’s Club, Medical School Wives, and Woman’s City Club, served as a hospital volunteer and awarded an honor for that service. In addition, she served tirelessly for Beth Israel Congregation in many capacities. She will always be remembered as a sweet, kind, gentle soul, who was a thoughtful person with a strong values and a keen sense of humor. She always saw the best in everyone. She will be greatly missed by all her friends, relatives and companions.
Thelma and Walter raised two children, Mimi Block of Ann Arbor, and Dr. Robert Block of Longboat Key, Florida. and has 2 grandchildren Laura Block of Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University NYC and David Block, tax attorney, Washington, DC. Contributions can be made to The Isaac and Pearl Levine Memorial Fund Temple Beth Emeth and Samuel and Minnie Block Memorial Fund at Beth Israel Congregation, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Please share a memory of Thelma with her family at her online guestbook.
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