Bloch, Nancy Elizabeth (Blackwell)

Nancy Elizabeth (Blackwell) Bloch was born July 31, 1931 and passed from this life on September 18, 2016, peacefully at her home. She died following a long and heroic fight with ALS over 21 years. She endured extremely difficult challenges with incredible grace, style and humor while maintaining a loving and caring spirit. Her passion for life and devotion to her friends and family was clear to everyone who knew her. She was an example of great courage and strength throughout her life and an inspiration to all that knew her.

Nancy was born one of eight children to Garrett Eugene Blackwell and Lucy Blackwell in Seneca, New Mexico. She graduated from Clayton High School, in 1949 and received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing from Presbyterian Hospital and Denver University School of Nursing in 1952. After raising her family, Nancy was determined to go back to school and received her Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration. She began this part of her professional career as an ICU Nurse at Loveless Medical Center and quickly moved to Head Nurse of ICU. Ultimately, Nancy became a Hospital Administrator at St Joseph’s Hospital in Albuquerque, maintaining this position until she retired as a result of the onset of ALS in 1995.

On September 9, 1953 Nancy married Eldon David Bloch from Castle Rock, Colorado, and they had three sons. Nancy is survived by her loving children Fletcher, Vaiden and Eldon, and her stepdaughter, Kandice. She was blessed with twelve grandchildren; Jared, Lauren, Hunter, Leighton, Everett, Nicholas, Christopher, Brian, Amy, Tyler, Ryan and Carly and two great grandchildren, Easton and Wyatt. She leaves behind her siblings Garrett, Edith, Robert, and Bert. Her parents, her siblings Flora, James, Bruce, her husband Eldon and stepson, David, preceded Nancy in death.