Obituary of Deborah Sylvia Block

Deborah Sylvia Block, left this earth for a better place on July 31, 2021. She was 66 years of age. Debbie was born on February 26, 1955 to Don and Virginia Clark in Syracuse, New York. Her family moved to North Carolina when Debbie was still an elementary school student. After a short time in Charlotte the family moved to the Raleigh area where Debbie graduated from Cary High School. Debbie attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She did not graduate but did take several classes which sparked her lifelong interest in horticulture and landscaping. She began her working career as a landscaper for the Raleigh Parks Department. She then worked for the next twenty years or so at Bland Landscaping, a private firm in Raleigh. Debbie met her future husband, Jeffrey Block in the early 1980's at a live music concert. She and Jeff dated on and off until 1996 and were married on August 31, 1996. Debbie moved to Watauga County permanently at that time and remained here in the Valle Crucis community until her passing. She was employed at Linville Ridge Country Club where Debbie was responsible for all the lovely flower beds on that property. Debbie was admired and loved by all who knew her. She was known for her calm demeanor and her sharp wit. Debbie was reliable and could be counted upon to keep her word. She was a friend to all and her home was always a welcome destination for friends and family from all over the country. On September 1, 2001 on the day following her fifth wedding anniversary Debbie was stricken and diagnosed with brain cancer. Even this terrible blow did nothing to alter Debbie's always positive outlook toward life. She bravely and stoically underwent both chemotherapy and radiation treatments and returned to work in March of 2002. Unfortunately a recurrence of her brain tumor in 2003 and its subsequent treatment with massive doses of radiation caused bleeding within her brain which caused stroke like symptoms and forced her to leave work in 2006. Her left side became weakened and she lost her balance and began to fall frequently. Her falls became so frequent and severe that she became dependent completely on her husband Jeff who became obliged to leave his employment as a teacher at the Grandfather Home in Banner Elk and to become Debbie's 24/7/365 caregiver. Debbie's life was memorialized in the book, Nine Years After, which Jeff published in 2010. It was always Debbie's wish to remain at home and indeed Debbie did pass at home and in her own bed. She was with her two surviving sisters, Jennifer Wilson and Robin Ewing at that time. Debbie is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Wendy, Brooke, Amber, Cory, James, Jeremy, Tina, Rachel, Megan, Jennifer, Adam, Steffany, Eric, Rachel, Abigail and Ben. Debbie will be remembered fondly by all these who are old enough to remember Debbie before her cancer caused her decline. All these wonderful young people will be sharing their memories of their Aunt Debbie with their children, Debbie's grand nephews and nieces none of whom are old enough to have met Debbie before she was stricken. Debbie's strength and good humor will be missed. In lieu of flowers, kindly contribute to the Watauga County Project on Aging, 132 Poplar Grove Connector, Suite A, Boone, NC 28607.