Maryland family dead from flu LUSBY, Md., March 15 (UPI) -- A funeral service was held for a Calvert County, Md., family who died earlier this month of an unusual strain of the flu, members of the community said. The service, held Wednesday, was for Lou Ruth Blake, 81, and two of her children, Vanessa, 56 and Lowell, 58. All three died within days of each other; sister Elaine Blake narrowly survived the sickness herself, The Baltimore Sun reported. The Blakes had contracted the H3N2 influenza strain, which weakened their immune systems, allowing antibiotic-resistant bacteria to reach their lungs. The bacteria caused fatal pneumonia, which spelled the end for the Blakes in a matter of days. The Blakes were well known in their small, tight-knit town of Lusby, the Sun said. Lou Ruth Blake is remembered as a matriarch and choir singer, said Rev. Samson Nortey, presiding over the service.