Vera Melnyk (Melnyk) Block
February 26, 1950 — July 12, 2015
Vera Melnyk Block, 65, Cambridge, MD. Born in Havre de Grace, MD on February 26, 1950 to Ukrainian immigrants Walter and Maria Melnyk.
Soon after the family moved to East Baltimore where Vera grew up. She worked a few years as a bank teller, but the majority of her career was spent with the telephone company, initially in installation and repair (yes, she climbed telephone poles), and later as a pole climbing instructor and finally in engineering. She lived 14 years in Bel Air, MD and attended Mountain Christian Church where she loved working in the Sunday school. In 2006 she moved to Woolford, MD and became an active member of the Eastern Shore community, serving a two-year-term as President of the Women’s Auxiliary of Dorchester General Hospital and 2 years as Treasurer of Robin Hood Shop.
She is survived by her husband Charles E. Block, a daughter from her first marriage Michelle Strotman Gaffney, a step-daughter Kollynn Wilson, sons-in-law Joseph and Glen, grandchildren Carolina, Virginia, Hayley, and Kyler, a sister Luba Held, and a brother Pete Melnyk.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 16th from 11 am to 1 pm with a service immediately following at Milton United Methodist Church, 1628 Taylors Island Road, Woolford, MD 21677. Luncheon to follow. An additional viewing will be held on Friday July 17th from 11 am to 1 pm at Kaczorowski Funeral Home, 1201 Dundalk Ave, Baltimore, MD 21222. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to University of Maryland Fund for Medicine, Greenebaum Cancer Center, UMB Gift Administration, 620 West Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1508. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in