WILMINGTON — Susan Taylor Block passed peacefully, with her daughters by her side, on October 29, 2022 in Wilmington, NC. The daughter of Joseph W. Taylor Jr. and Betty Taylor, she was born in Wilmington at New Hanover Hospital, September 1, 1951. An alumna of UNC Chapel Hill, throughout the years, she would return to her collegiate roots giving speeches on North Carolina history.
Susan authored nearly twenty books chronicling the history of the Lower Cape Fear. She was a contributing writer of an incredible amount of local historical articles, and published poetry in the Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest and the Saturday Evening Post, among other publications. She was a regular contributor on WHQR, and served as associate producer for multiple local documentaries, including “Lumina: Remembering the Light” and “Beneath the Airlie Oak.” Susan wrote many historical markers and, aside from authoring Airlie’s history, she also served as the historian to Airlie Gardens. She received ten awards and honors for her contributions to Lower Cape Fear history, including a Remi award and was a member of the North Caroliniana Society. When she sought a rare break from local history, she enjoyed writing cartoons syndicated by the NYTimes Group, playing music by ear, and she loved to dance.
Susan captured narratives that would continue past another’s lifetime. She gave families the documentation of their stories – gifting storytellers their intangible memories in printed form. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph W. Taylor Jr. and Betty Taylor and her husband, Frederick Block. Susan is survived by her two daughters, Taylor Cromartie and Catherine Gerdes, and her brother Joseph W. Taylor III.
The service will be held at St. James Episcopal Parish at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022. Following the service, there will be a reception in St. James’ Great Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare or to the Brigade Boys and Girls Club.
