Jane Bryant Block

1940 - 2025

Jane Bryant Block
09/13/1940 - 05/29/2025
Jane Bryant Block, 84, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2025, while in the loving care of friends, family and medical professionals. Jane was born as the middle child to Horace and Mack Bryant on September 13, 1940, in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where she was raised and lived until her high school graduation. After completing a pre-medical BA degree from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, she moved to Houston to pursue her interests in medical research at Baylor College of Medicine. Shortly thereafter, Jane met Ralph Block who quickly emerged as her best friend and later her husband. Jane's career path shifted to real estate where she achieved her broker license and successfully operated her own business known as Block Real Estate.

For her decades of service to the growth and success of the Houston Zoo, Jane was honored at Zoo Ball 2020. As one of the early members of Zoo Friends of Houston, chartered in 1969, Jane lead fundraising efforts to improve the Zoo by building exhibits and acquiring new animals. In 1988, Zoo Friends of Houston established the Jane Block Award to recognize those who "emulate Jane's characteristics of unselfishness, dedication, good humor, and love for the Houston Zoo." Jane's impacts have touched millions of Zoo visitors, and her legacy will be felt around the Zoo for decades to come.

For more than 40 years, Jane and Ralph hosted an incredibly popular Christmas Party at their museum-like home. The theme rooms designed around marine, swords, toys and most importantly, Christmas which delivered an overwhelming visual display of amazement and joy to young and old alike. This annual event was attended by some of Houston's most influential political leaders, first responders, military and of course friends and family to celebrate the season and gather contributions for Toys for Tots.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Block, her parents and her two brothers. She is survived by her nephews, Scott Bryant and Greg Bryant, and countless friends assembled over her lifetime.

If you wish to donate in Jane's memory, donations may be made to the Houston Zoo, or the charity of your choice.

Please join us for a celebration of Jane's life on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., at the John P. and Katherine G. McGovern Reflections Event Hall at the Houston Zoo, located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77030.