Marguerite M. Bloch's Obituary
Dr. Marguerite “Mardy” M. (Delhotal) Bloch, Ed. D., passed away peacefully on November 10,
2024, at Alverno Senior Care Facility in Clinton, Iowa.
Mardy was born on May 24, 1937, in Amboy, Illinois. She was raised on a farm in Harmon,
Illinois and educated at Lake School–a one-room country school house. She left home to attend
high school at Mount St. Clare Academy in Clinton, Iowa. She earned her Bachelor of Arts
degree from Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wisconsin where she majored in elementary education
and minored in social studies, English, speech and drama. Mardy then earned her Master of
Science degree from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana where she majored in Elementary
School Administration and minored in psychology. She earned her Doctorate in Education from
Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.
In 1972 she and Walter Bloch married and lived their busy lives in the west suburbs of Chicago.
They loved to travel especially to Poland and Ireland, the homes of their ancestors. Mardy
loved to attend the Notre Dame vs. Purdue football game every fall.
Mardy’s list of accomplishments was quite extensive. She taught at the college level at
Concordia University, served as principal in several school districts, and as superintendent of
schools in Oak Brook, Illinois. Additionally, she served as a consultant on education matters to
the Archdiocese of Chicago and was Vice President of the Education Facilities Center.
Mardy had an impressive list of workshop topics which she presented in the Midwest area,
including Curriculum development, Community Relations, Strategic Planning, Research and
Evaluation to Financial Planning for Special Education. She had been published in Today’s
Catholic Educator and the Illinois Association of School Boards Journal. Mardy also
presented formal papers for Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction, The Illinois Association
of School Boards, Midwest Conference of Teacher Centers, Western Michigan University, Iowa
Department of Public Instruction Illinois Association for Higher Education and Minnesota
Audio-Visual Teachers Association. She was passionate about discussing trends in education
through various media. Her radio and television appearances and newspaper articles were aired
and published in Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, New Orleans,
New York, and St. Paul.
Special recognitions had been presented to Dr. Bloch many times. Those honors include:
Outstanding Young Educators in the United States (1 of 75), Outstanding Alumni by the Mount
St. Clare, Elementary School Principal of the Year by Illinois State Board of Education, Dare to
be Great award from Illinois Women Administrators, Special Education Recognition award from
Illinois TASH, and the Ulyssean Award from the Village of Oak Park.
Mardy was dedicated to her community. Whether it be when she lived in the Chicago area or in
Clinton, she served on numerous boards and committees. She was an avid supporter of the arts,
especially the symphony and village theaters. Mardy was a dedicated supporter of L’Arche
Chicago.
Being a former Sister of St. Francis, she was happy to call The Canticle home again after her
husband passed. The community of her religious sisters was a comfort and blessing for her
senior living. She cherished the time she was able to spend with them and serve the Lord and
his community of dedicated sisters.
Mardy is survived by her brother-in-law Paul Bloch, sister-in-law Helene (Bloch) Clarke, a
niece, nephew and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband Walter, her parents Raymond and Helen and her
brothers Jim and Bill.
Visitation will be held at The Canticle, home of the Sisters of St. Francis 841 13th Ave. North,
Clinton, Iowa on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Mass at
11:00 a.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, 841 13th Ave. North,
Clinton, Iowa. Snell Zornig Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences
expressed by visiting her obituary at www.snellzornig.com.
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