NOANK: Maureen Ellen Block, 81, passed away on March 26, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born in New London, Connecticut on January 31, 1943, the daughter of Walter John Holt and Guerrina Bracci Holt. She was a lifelong resident of Noank, Connecticut and a graduate of Fitch High School.
Maureen was very active within her community and church. She was baptized at the age of 12 at Noank Baptist Church. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, served as a Deaconess and started the prayer shawl ministry, making shawls for those who were sick or in need of healing. As a child, she helped her mother and other women in the church launch the Corner Closet, a thrift store in Noank where all proceeds are used to support community causes. She was a life time supporter with this agency, acting as the treasurer for many years. Maureen had a flair for decorating tables and creating beautiful floral centerpieces for special church occasions. In 2005, she stepped up to support LGBTQIA+ individuals by helping to form the Coalition Against Hate Crimes. This led to the formation of a local chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) which was sponsored through the church.
Maureen loved being a mom and a Nonie. She was very involved with her children and grandchild’s activities. All of the neighborhood children spent time at her house, where they were always welcome and were well fed. She contributed to her community by serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop leader, starting the Drug Awareness Program and Bike Safety Fairs at Noank School and in the 1970’s helped establish the Noank Teen Center. She was a fierce fighter for any cause that she believed in. When the town of Groton threatened to close the Noank Town Dock due to lack of funds, Maureen, along with her daughters, maintained the beach daily in order to keep it open. Maureen often provided members of the Noank Fire Department with hot beverages and food after there was a major fire or special event. The Noank Fire Department made her an honorary life time member for her generous support over the years.
In addition to her church and community work, Maureen also served as a Coast Guard Sponsor for cadets. Initially, she sponsored two cadets, but by the end of the first year, she was the proud foster mom of 18 cadets. She loved attending their sporting events and cooking meals for “her boys”. For her commitment, she received the Coast Guard Sponsor of the Year Award.
Maureen enjoyed her job as a banquet server at Foxwoods and especially loved designing rooms for elaborate parties. Her coworkers referred to her as the Energizer Bunny, as she ran circles around people half her age. She never stopped until the job was done to perfection! She was the safety officer for her department and took great pride in keeping her coworkers well protected. After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she started an annual Breast Cancer Awareness Program at Foxwoods.
Maureen was always up for an adventure with her family and friends by her side. They share fond memories of horse rides, night time meteor shower viewings, car racing, watching her time road races for SNERRO, marching band fun with her cowbell, annual April Fool’s shenanigans, whale watching, DQ emergencies, day trips to New Hampshire for ice cream, Alzheimer walks, college adventures, house cleaning craziness, family dinners, Halloween dinners and air hockey tournaments. Every event was bound to include hours of her infectious laughter.
We are eternally grateful to the amazing and caring Masonicare Memory staff, for the love and respect they gave to our mother and our family during her journey. She spent the last few months at Pendleton in Mystic. Their staff quickly welcomed our family and made Maureen’s final days comfortable and peaceful.
Maureen will be dearly missed by her daughters Janine Holt, Lisa Knobloch and her favorite son-in-law, Eric. She also leaves behind her beloved grandson Jordan Knobloch and his wife, Katie.
She was predeceased by her parents and her former husband, Raymond Block.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Friday, April 12th from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street in Mystic. A celebration of Maureen’s life will be held on Saturday, April 13 at 10:00am at the Noank Baptist Church, 18 Cathedral Heights in Noank. A reception will be held at the church following the service. Burial is private for the family in Noank Valley Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Corner Closet c/o Noank Baptist Church 18 Cathedral Heights, Noank, CT 06340.