Obituary of Elsie Blocka

BLOCKA: Elsie Blocka (née Smith), beloved wife of Myron, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at the age of 84 years. Elsie was born on May 13, 1931 in the district of Boissevain, Manitoba, to Herbert and Eva Smith, the second eldest of a family of 11 children. The family moved to Brandon when she was nine years old. She completed her high school at King George and Earl Haig, but due to pressures at home she had to quit school. At the age of 17, after spending some time at home helping her parents, Elsie started to work at the Brandon Mental Health Centre. This is where she met her friend, Myron. After two years together, he became the love of her life. Together, they enjoyed bowling, going to the movies, dancing and especially enjoyed going to St. Augustine's Mass. Elsie, being non-Catholic, enjoyed the faith so much she took Catechism given by the Nuns of St. Michael's Academy and converted to Catholicism. On occasion, she helped the Sisters teach Catechism to the children. Elsie and Myron were married in 1950, and raised two fine sons, Allen and Wayne. Elsie was a stay at home mom till both the boys were in school. At this time, she went to work as a clerk in the china department of Brandon Hardware and finally at the fashion store, Joanne's Dress Shop, which she enjoyed very much for 15 years until she retired. Elsie was predeceased by her parents and her youngest son Wayne, her sister Marg (Jack) Yarmey, brothers Lloyd (Dot), Don (Judy) and Joe (Lorraine). Elsie is lovingly remembered by her husband Myron, son Allen (Carol), sisters Dotty (Danny) Gayowski, Jean Farrow, Kay (Angus) Jaska, Marie (Barry) Millwater, brothers, Bob (Sharon) and Murray (Nettie), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Prayers will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, 327-4th Street, on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Michael Raj Savarimuthu as Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Elsie may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8.