Blossom Gordon Block Obituary (1930 - 2022)

Blossom Gordon Block passed away on July 13 at her home in Rockville, Maryland at the age of 92. Blossom was born in 1930 in Waukegan, Ill., to Charles and Mollie Berman. She graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1951 and moved to the Kansas City area that same year. She was an active member of the Kansas City Jewish community for 70 years. She is survived by three children, Cheryl Zinn (Steve Kirschner), Janet Zinn, and Kenneth Zinn (Roxie Herbekian); five grandchildren, Rachel Zinn Wall (Logan Wall), Marcie Milman (Eric Milman), Jonah Zinn (Johanna Reátiga), David Zinn and Daniel Zinn; five great-grandchildren, Sarah Zinn, Sophia Zinn, Abigail Wall, Leora Milman and Shira Wall; three step-children, Steve Block (Linda Block), Randy Block (Elyse Block), and Cindy Singer (Sheldon Singer); seven step-grandchildren, Stacy Corum (Ryan Corum), Tara Warnock (Matt Warnock), Greg Block (Sara Block), Phil Block (Melissa Block), Sam Block (Jacki Block), Daniel Singer (Catherine Singer), and Megan Pener (Samuel Pener); and 16 step-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her eldest son, Howard Zinn (Janis Zinn), two husbands, Rubin Gordon and Irwin Block, and two long-time companions, Robert Goldberg and Philip Lichtenberg. Blossom was a social worker for the American Red Cross and the State of Kansas Department for Children and Families for many years. She was active in various Jewish charities, including Hadassah, the Jewish Federation, the Kansas City chapter of the Children’s Asthma Research Institute and Hospital in Denver, and the Greater Kansas City chapter of the Brandeis University National Women’s Committee, where she served in many capacities, including as president. Blossom also served as president and secretary of her homeowners’ association, taught English literacy, and was a volunteer for the blind. She played bridge for over 70 years with life-long friends and was an avid reader. Blossom was a long-time member of Beth Shalom Synagogue, where she was active in the Sisterhood, and the Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. Funeral services will be held graveside at 9:30 am on July 18 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Raytown. No zoom services available. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Blossom’s memory can be made to the Jewish Social Service Agency in Rockville, Md., at https://www.jssa.org/get-involved/donate/.