Paula Hughes-Block

Paula Hughes-Block, 95, of San Diego, CA, formerly of Ottawa passed away Monday, December 1, 2008 at St. Paul's Manor in San Diego, CA. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date at St. Patrick's Church in Ottawa. Ottawa Funeral Home is in Charge of arrangements. She was born on April 27, 1913 on a farm in Wallace Township to Joseph and Julia (Butler) Hughes. After the death of her parents she left Ottawa and moved to California. She worked for Kraft Foods there and was active in social work. She married Ernie Block and lived a happy life with him. They traveled extensively for 5 years. They enjoyed Norway, Denmark, Zurick, Russia, France and Spain. Today it is not unusual for people to travel that much, but it was a great joy for them. Dick and Sue McGrath have been constant and loving caregivers to Paula during her long illness in St. Paul's Manor. She received her teaching certicate at DeKalb College and taught in rural schools and at Lincoln School. She attended the one room school (the Hess School) as a child, then St. Patrick's Grade School and graduated from St. Xavier's Academy in 1930. She was past regent of Catholic Daughters of America. She is survived by her husband Ernie Block of San Diego, CA., three sisters; Betty Peddicord of Ottawa, Margy Matthews of Chicago and Rita Bass of Florida and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers; Joseph Hughes of Grand Ridge, Bill Hughes of Ottawa, Jack Hughes of Grand Ridge and Leo Hughes who was killed in World War II, and two sisters; Helen Thompson of Ottawa and Patricia McGrath of Argentina and California. Memorials may be made to Marquette High School or St. Patrick's Church.