Donna Mae Bleck

Donna Mae Bleck, 87, passed away on December 29, 2019 in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina.  She was born on October 28, 1932 near Pittsburgh, PA. to Allen J. Ott and Florence L (Sineway) Ott.  Donna grew up in Western New York and graduated from Amherst High School in 1950.  After high school, she began working at the phone company.  Donna married Herbert W. Bleck on August 9, 1952.  Donna and Herb raised their family in Williamsville, NY.  While raising their three children she helped support the family accounting business with Herb.

Donna was happy to raise her family near her three siblings, always surrounded by family and friends.  Donna and Herb enjoyed traveling together during their retirement years, visiting their children and seven grandchildren who were scattered on the East Coast and in the Midwest.  After Herb passed away in 1996, Donna enjoyed many happy years with her companion, Harry Loomis, who predeceases her in death.  Donna and Harry enjoyed the outdoors, living on his property in a log cabin he built in Cherry Creek, NY. 

Donna enjoyed many activities including painting, crafting, and playing tennis well into her 70’s.  She was a very talented painter, in the style of American folk painting.  Her family has many painted wood treasures and knitted Christmas stockings that have been hung since the 1950s.    

Donna was predeceased by her parents Allen and Florence Ott, her husband Herbert Bleck, and older brother Allen Ott.  She is survived by her two siblings, Barbara Ann Steele and Robert J. Ott as well as her children Kathryn L. (Joseph) Gendron of Warsaw, IN, Herbert W. (Mindy) Bleck of Pawley’s Island, SC, and Christopher A. (Jeanne) Bleck of Sudbury, MA.  Donna was also a proud and loving grandmother to seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

A celebratory service will be held at St Matthias Episcopal Church in East Aurora, NY beginning at 11:00 am on Wednesday, 6 May 2020.  Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Hamburg, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Association of the Blind or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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