Helen Colleen Bliss (Connie) was born in Silverton, Oregon December 10, 1927, to Victor and Cora Madsen.  Connie passed away December 30, 2025, in Mount Vernon, Washington at the age of 98.

Her early years were enjoyed on her father's farm on Paradise Alley in Silverton, OR.  In about 1935 the family relocated to Hillsboro OR.  Here she completed her primary school grades graduating from Hillsboro High in 1945.  She then attended Oregon State University, graduating in 1949 with a bachelor's degree.  It was at Oregon State that she met Piatt (Pi) Bliss.  He graduated the year before and had moved to Southern Calif to begin his career in Lumber Sales but having first left her with a ring of engagement and a promise of matrimony.  He and Connie were married in Hillsboro at Trinity Lutheran Church in June of 1949.  Their honeymoon was spent driving the Pacific Coast Hwy to their new life in So Calif.

They first settled in Hollywood.  It was the Golden Age of Hollywood and on the hills above their apartment was the Griffith Park Observatory and two blocks below them was Hollywood Blvd.  They were at the epicenter of Stars and Star gazing.  What a time!  From here they explored La Jolla to the South, Palm Springs to the East, Santa Barbara up North and just 26 miles across the sea to the West was lovely Catalina Island.  But a family was on their horizon and after two years of newlywed life Pi and Connie moved over the Hollywood Hills and into the San Fernando Valley.  Here, in Van Nuys, they bought their first and only home in Calif.  A typical track Ranch-style home of the time. Small but after a couple of remodels it was perfect for raising their 5 children.  Born from 1950-1956 were Becky, Gretchen, Linda, Andy and then Martha.  All of them close in age and, because of their wonderful parents, in heart as well!  Connie stayed at home raising her family while Pi tended to the lumber sales.  Connie's other activities included PTA meetings, Cub Scout Den Mother, teaching Sunday School lessons, etc... In 1968 a new member was added to the family:  a 30-foot sailboat.  Connie was not naturally fond of the water.  She preferred gardening on solid ground.  But her husband loved sailing, so she fully embraced it.  Sailing the waters of So Calif became a major part of their shared life.

Eventually retirement beckoned, and in 1989 they sold their home in the Valley and moved to Anacortes, Washington bringing a new and larger sailboat with them.  The sailing continued as they spent much of their retirement years exploring the many islands of the Pacific Northwest.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband in 2005 and, sadly, 3 daughters: Martha (2016), Gretchen (2020) and Linda (2022).  But her memory lives on with her children Becky and Andy and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends all who can attest to the kind, gracious and truly amazing woman she was.  Missing in this narrative is the enormity of her Christian faith.  Better role models for true Christian character are few.  But that is a whole other story!

Finally, on her refrigerator she kept a magnet that reads: "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty well-preserved body...but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, WOW!! What a ride!"

Well done, Mom!  We love you, Andy and Becky.  To share memories of Connie, please visit www.evanschapel.com/obituary/connie-bliss