Brenda Joy Bleck

Brenda JOY Bleck A.K.A. NanaAugust 22, 1951 April 20, 2008Brenda Nana Bleck flew home on an angels wings April 20, 2008 at the young age of 56 after a valiant battle with Breast Cancer. She chose life with Breast Cancer as an opportunity to mentor and serve others, and embraced her disease as a mission versus an obstacle. During her eight year battle, she was beautiful, happy, positive and Christ-centered, giving the others around her strength and courage. She truly taught all those close to her how to embrace life. She participated in many awareness events such as the Breast Cancer Relay for Life and even completed the Breast Cancer 3 Day last summer while being pushed in a wheel chair. A true inspiration to all that ever met her!Brenda (Marshall) was born in Ithaca on August 22, 1951. Brenda married her high school sweetheart, Lawrence D. Larry Bleck Jr. and was the love of his life for almost 38 years. Their love was an example to all who knew them and will remain testimony for all who witness the care and courage they had together over the last few years. Brenda Nana loved hanging out with her family and friends, but her life became centered around her four grandchildren the last eleven years. She loved life; playing with her grandchildren, whether it was basketball, painting nails, getting her hair done by her granddaughter, pitching in the backyard or simply reading to them. She also really enjoyed shopping and would often ask to go and smell the mall air even when she did not feel great. Her husband and kids were her everything, and even to the very end of her life, she was still taking care of them.Brenda worked many years at Cornell University as the Assistant to the Dean of Architecture, Art and Planning and later as Assistant to the late District Attorney, George Dentes of Tompkins County. Brenda was a true woman of God and told her family she would see them soon. Brenda has temporarily left behind her friend & husband, Larry, her one and only son Richard and wife Antonietta Toni and grandson Anthony. Her best friend & daughter Shelleen and favorite son in law Jack McHale and three grandchildren Jamesen, Rylie and Jackson. Brendas family also includes her Dah-dee, Richard Marshall and mother, Mary Warner-Russell, her siblings Rick, Robb, Eric and Mark Marshall, Debra Niemi, Diana Vrabel, Thomas Warner and several nieces and nephews who absolutely adored her.Her family will receive friends at the MacPherson Funeral Home, 5 Whig St., Newark Valley on Wednesday April 23 from 2 - 4 and 6 8 p.m. A celebration of Brendas Life will be held at 11 am on Thursday, at the First Baptist Church of West Danby with Rev. Kelly Negus, friend of the family and Pastor Bruce Scott, officiating. Those who wish may kindly consider directing memorials in Brendas name to Shepherds Gate Lutheran Church (to fulfill Brendas wish for a Nanas room at her grandchildrens church) or, to the First Baptist Church of West Danby, in care of Shelleen McHale, 18094 Huron Drive Macomb, MI 48042.