Mary Jean (Howell) Bliss passed peacefully at her home, on December 14, 2022. She was born on November 22, 1932, in Ridgway, Colorado, to Ralph Harley (Hap) and Eleanor Ilda Howell. She is predeceased by her parents, brother Ralph, and her husband, Bob.

Mary and Bob Bliss were high school sweethearts, and since Bob was a year younger, Mary spent a year at college, waiting for him to graduate. There she met lifelong friends, and of course, shenanigans ensued, (something about a skunk in the basement?!). She wanted to continue and finish her degree, but also wanted to start a family with Bob. They married in 1952, Bob enlisted in the Air Force, and Bob Jr arrived in 1953; Elena in '56, Andra in '59, and Eric in '60. Mom loved playing games with us kids, loved taking us to the library each week, and taught us how to read and write. Mom worked at different jobs (Record Store, Newspaper delivery, Avon), before the family landed in California at VAFB and she took the job of Counseling Secretary at the Vandenberg Junior High School. She was a pivotal contact for many students who would confide in her before they saw their counselors, and some liked to just hang out with her in her office. She retired in 1991. She was an avid reader and over the years created a huge home library. Her favorite store was the Bookstore in Lompoc. She was a patron of the arts, as she regularly visited the Art Gallery and museum downtown. Her living room walls displayed several local artists. Mom loved roses, so Pop planted a small rose garden at every home they had, as Mom adored having beautiful cut roses in her crystal vases. The folks also loved to dance; they joined a ballroom dance group called the Cotillion Club, and a square dance group called the Lompoc Rocking Squares. Family was very important to both of them, and they took yearly road trips to visit everyone they could. The last one was a 60th anniversary reunion in Ridgway in 2012; there were 24 of us; it was the best memory, and a beautiful testimony of the love of our family. We love you, Mom!

Mary is survived by her four children, their spouses plus the grandkids: Bob Bliss Jr (Pat, Lisa, Loni, & Trey), Renee Bliss (Tom Silva, Marcus), Andra Bliss Duffey (Mike, Kevin Mackey), and Eric Bliss (Cheryl, Ryan, & Erin). Also, the grand-spouses, 6 great-grandkids, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mary had wonderful caregivers including Bonnie Pommerville, Consuelo Molina, Cynthia Nogales, Laila Hilario, Rocio Ramirez, Yobana Morales, and Assisted Hospice. Her friends, Jim & Jan, and her watchful neighbors were of great comfort to her.

Memorial services will be at St Mary's Episcopal Church (which she attended and supported for many years), in Lompoc, on February 4 at 10am. A reception will be held afterward at the Bliss house. Information and comments can be found at the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary website.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation, if you wish, to your favorite charity.