Michelle A. Bloch (née Gstattenbauer), 55, of Branchville, NJ, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ, with her loving family by her side.
A lifelong resident of Sussex County, Michelle was born in Dover, NJ. She attended Lenape Valley High School before earning her bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College. From an early age, she nurtured a deep love for writing, photography, horses, and the outdoors—passions that remained central to her life.
An accomplished equestrian, Michelle competed as a junior rider in the Hunter/Jumper horse show circuit, successfully riding at prestigious events such as Devon (PA) and the East Coast fall indoor shows. Later, she shared her knowledge and love of horses by teaching riding at her farm in Frankford Township.
Michelle seamlessly blended her passions for writing and horses into a successful career, covering countless equestrian events for various publications and earning accolades for her work in the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s In Stride Magazine. Beyond her professional achievements, she was a deeply creative writer, sharing her personal works on her website (writersbloch.com) and Substack.
Her talents extended into graphic design, where she created striking printed materials and websites. A true lover of the outdoors, Michelle found joy in hiking, cycling, kayaking, and simply watching wildlife from her backyard. She cherished family vacations spent exploring national parks, with Sedona, AZ, holding a special place in her heart.
A devoted wife, mother, daughter, and friend, Michelle will be remembered for her unwavering positivity, kindness, and deep love for those around her—especially her beloved daughter, Abby.
She is survived by her husband of 26 years, David Bloch; her cherished daughter, Abby Bloch; and her devoted parents, Wolfgang and Phyllis Gstattenbauer. She also leaves behind a community of dear friends who will forever treasure her memory.
A celebration of Michelle’s life will be held on March 30, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The National Parks Foundation.