Linda (Wilson-Barlett) Bloch

 

Linda M. Bloch (Wilson-Barlett) passed away on beautiful Indiana afternoon on July 10th after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s.

Linda was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Harold E. Wilson and Helen M. Wilson (Etzler) on February 17, 1943. She was raised in West Lafayette attending Morton Elementary School and graduated from West Lafayette High School in 1961.

She attended Purdue University graduating in 1965 with a degree in Home Economics and served as a majorette in the Purdue Marching Band and was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.

In 1966 she married Joseph “Del” Bartlett, a Lt. in the US Navy. During that time they lived in Virginia Beach, VA; Charleston, SC; Key West, FL; Portsmouth, England, and Newport, RI. They had a son, John Colby Bartlett in 1971 in Key West. While living in England they traveled extensively and attended a tea with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. They later lived in St. Mathews, KY before returning to Lafayette, IN in 1978. Much time was also spent at a family home on Sanibel Island, FL. They divorced in 1989.

In the course of her career, Linda worked as a teacher for several schools and as a foods services administrator for Purdue University before transitioning to sales and marketing and public relations in the utility and medical industry and for several Lafayette area companies.

In 2001 she married Dr. Richard Bloch and for over 20 years they lived in Carmel, IN and traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Africa, the Arctic Circle, and the Pacific Ocean enjoying love, life and exploring our world.

In the course of her life, Linda was involved in many causes and organizations including Alpha Xi Delta-Purdue, Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Lafayette Ski Club, John Purdue Club, and the Feast of the Hunters’ Moon, the Indianapolis Zoo and the March of Dimes. She had a great love and admiration for wildlife rescue and primate conservation work.

Linda had an amazing life and was passionately committed to her family as a wife, mother, step-mother and grandmother. She loved extraordinarily deeply and there is nothing she wouldn’t do for her family. She thrived in time spent with family for holidays, at their River House on the Tippecanoe River, skiing and traveling.

Linda was deeply loved and will be missed more deeply than words can express. The void she has left cannot be filled. We will carry her in our hearts, minds, dreams and inspirations. Her life was a testimony to the power of love.

Surviving are her husband Dr. Richard Bloch (Carmel, IN), son John Colby-Bartlett and grandson Keaton Wilson Bartlett (West Lafayette, IN), step-son Magistrate Judge Andrew Bloch and wife Nicole (Westfield, IN), first husband Joseph “Del” Bartlett (West Lafayette, IN), cousin John Wilson and wife Joyce (Austin, TX) and many other cousins and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, August 21st from 2-5pm at the Fowler House Mansion, 909 South Street, Lafayette, IN. Rev. Peter Bunder will officiate a short service and prayer at 330pm. Linda’s remains will be interred at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Memorial gifts may be made in Linda’s name to the Jane Goodall Institute (janegoodall.org), the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (gorillafund.org), the Indianapolis Zoo (indianapoliszoo.com), or a charity of your choosing.