Susan Bertram Block

Susan Bertram Block (Susy) passed away in the morning of January 15, at the age of 79. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Philip Wachter Block of Lexington; also, her son PJ and his wife, Angela, and her grandchildren, Matt and Katie, all of Houston, Texas.

Susy was born in Louisville, KY., on February 11, 1946, to Dr. H. M. Bertram, Jr. and Martha Lucille Bertram. She was raised in Vanceburg and moved to Lexington at age 11. She is a graduate of Lafayette High School and earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of Kentucky.

She taught at Southern Junior High School until moving to Ashland in 1980. While residing in Ashland, she served on the board of the Ashland Area YWCA and The Paramount Arts Center. For two years, she served as the Chairperson of The Paramount Arts Center Gala, a fundraising event benefiting the two Ashland area hospitals. In addition, she co-owned Trio's, a clothing and gift store. After Phil's retirement, they moved to Sarasota, Florida, where she was instrumental in founding the Sarasota SunCoast UK Alumni Club, on whose board she served for a number of years. After living two years near her son and grandchildren in Houston, Susy and Phil returned to Lexington in 2022.

Susy was extremely proud of her family and cared deeply for her close friends. She always sought opportunities to bring joy to others through actions and gifts, both large and small.

In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her six brothers and sisters: Karen Pugh Esham of Sarasota, Elizabeth "Tomi" Lambert (Art) of Sarasota, Mary Bertram Johnson (Scott) of Orlando, Benjamin Thomas Pugh, Jr. (Lynette) of Cold Spring, Dr. H. M. Bertram, III (Miriam) of Hebron, Dr. L. Michael Bertram (Sandy) of Vanceburg. She had numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom she claimed as "her children from another mother."

A Memorial Service will be held February 20 at 1 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd with a Celebration of Life to follow at Idle Hour Country Club, both in Lexington, KY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Center or the Markey Cancer Center at UK.