Marjorie E. Block, age 97 of Kenosha, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at her residence at The Addison of Pleasant Prairie.

Born on November 20, 1919 in Milwaukee, she was the daughter of the late Sol and Flora (Rubin) Zien. She spent her formative years living on Milwaukee’s east side and was quick to recall many fond memories, including her learning to swim in the Milwaukee River. She attended Milwaukee Public Schools including the same elementary school that her great granddaughter now attends 90 years later. Marjorie was a 1941 graduate of Marquette University.

On June 17, 1945 in Milwaukee, she was united in marriage to Herbert Block at the Shorecrest Hotel. They moved to Kenosha after their marriage. He preceded her in death in 1992.

Marjorie was the matriarch of the family and for many years, she played an integral part of the success of the family business, Herbert’s Jewelers. Marjorie’s responsibilities included management of the bridal, fine china, and silver departments as well as bridal consultant to many Kenosha residents. In her younger years, Marjorie was employed as a substitute teacher at Pulaski High School in Milwaukee.

She was a member of Beth Hillel Temple, a former president of the Council of Jewish Women, former treasurer of the Beth Hillel Sisterhood, and volunteered at Anderson Art Center. Marjorie was an excellent swimmer and played tennis until she was 79. She was always eager to connect with old and new friends and was an avid player of bridge and mahjong well into her nineties. Marjorie cultivated a new generation of mahjong players by hosting sessions and teaching to those who were 70 years her junior.

She is survived by her daughter, Debra (Elliot) Malki; her daughter-in-law, Constance Block; her four grandchildren, Lisa (Mark), Jonathan (Beth), Thomas (Kristin) and Benjamin (Catie); and her five great grandchildren, Daniel, Matthew, Damian, Addison and Juliette.

In addition to her parents, brother, and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Edward J. Block in 2011.

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Marjorie’s life will be held on Monday, October 9, 2017 at 1:00pm at Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Avenue. Interment will take place in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.