NORWICH – Silla Bloch Mendel, 95, died Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at Crouse Hospital. 
Formerly of Norwich, Mrs. Mendel had been a resident of the Oaks of Dewitt since 1996. At the age of 22, she left her parents, brother and sister and fled Nazi Germany in 1933 to find safe haven in New York City. Her sister Leonie, brother Rabbi Jacob Bloch, who survived the camps, and his wife and children, eventually joined her in New York. In 1940, Silla met and married her late husband Morris.  Together they moved to Norwich, where they founded M. Mendel & Co., meat wholesalers.  They were an active part of the Norwich community, being founding members of the Norwich Jewish Center.  Silla was a past president and life member of Hadassah, and the sisterhood of the congregation.  Together, they sponsored other family members so that they could gain entry into the U.S. and escape persecution in Europe. Mrs. Mendel was pre deceased by her husband Morris in 1976.
Silla was a wonderful, caring person with a great sense of pride and dignity. She had a marvelous sense of humor and was loved by those around her: family, friends and other residents of The Oaks. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Dr. Herb and Ilene Mendel, her granddaughter Marisa, her grandson Jordan, and several nieces and nephews.
A calling hour will be from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Road, Syracuse.
Services will be at noon Thursday at Temple Adath Yeshurun.
Burial and graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Norwich.
Contributions may be made to the Norwich Jewish Center.