The local bike paths and walking trails are a little quieter today due to the passing of Susan Block, 76, of West Hartford. The daughter of the late Abraham and Marcia (Lazaroff) Rubin of Wallingford, Susan died peacefully at her home overlooking her sanctuary garden and pond, on October 21, 2015, surrounded by family.
Susan attended Temple University, earning a degree in dental hygienics in 1959, the same year she married her husband of 54 years, the late Donald Block of West Hartford, whom she met 2 weeks before her 16th birthday.
After working at the American School For The Deaf, Susan embarked on a period of self discovery, healthy lifestyle and education. She studied and later taught yoga, exercised regularly and experimented with vegetarian, macrobiotic and raw eating well before they became fashionable.
A desire for learning led to studies at the Hartford College For Women, graduating Deans List in 1991, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree at UCONN in 1993, to the unparalleled delight of her family. A college project led to the labeling of trees in West Hartford’s Reservoir #4, a favorite destination of Susan’s, where many of those signs remain.
Susan touched countless lives. She leaves behind loving family, including her closest ally, her sister Harriet Katz who shared daily walks, talks, bike rides and a bond never to be broken, and her brother-in-law Bill Katz.
Susan is survived by her daughter Julie Saffir of Simsbury whose presence and gentle disposition was so valued and vital to her peaceful passing, her son-in-law Kenneth Saffir, and her granddaughter Robin who shares her grandmother’s zest for adventure.
She is also survived by her son Peter Block of Los Angeles whose tales and jokes constantly amused her, her daughter-in-law Lisa Block, her grandson Ethan with whom she traded bike riding lessons for her favorite hugs, and her granddaughter Zoe whose painting and art projects both inspired, and were inspired by, her Nunu’s own creativity.
She also leaves behind her niece Gladie (Katz) Lauer and husband Steve, and the families of her nephew Gary Katz and wife Debbie, and her niece Lynn Patrizio and husband John.
As important, Susan leaves behind all her close neighbors, friends and animals whose lives she touched, and who were so very important to her.
The family would like to thank Dr. Aaron Shafer and his staff at Hartford Hospital and Dr. Richard Penson and his staff at Mass General, as well as the numerous nurses and care-givers who were so helpful along the way including Colleen, Mishone, Jenny, Sarah, Karen and Marcia.
Memorial Services will be held Monday, October 26, 2015, at 12:30pm in the Chapel of Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, with Rabbi Michael Pincus officiating, immediately followed by a reception to celebrate Susan until 6:00pm. For those who wish to attend, Internment will be held earlier at Fairview Cemetery, Whitman Ave., West Hartford, at 11:30am that morning (follow the signs marked “Weinstein”). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to FoodShare, or the Hole In The Wall Gang. To sign the guest book for Susan, please visit www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.