Pat Bliss

Patricia Lee Neudeck Bliss passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 24. She was born Sept. 10, 1934 in Beach, ND, to parents Floyd “Mike” and Leona (Woodhull) Neudeck.

When mom was 5, her family relocated to Bellingham when her dad took a position with the Railroad Express. They joined a growing number of family members that had relocated to the northwest and her childhood was full of a large family including cousins, aunts, uncles and a sister and two brothers.

Mom family moved again when her dad’s job was relocated, this time to Blaine, where she began high school and was reconnected with her dear friend Michaele Finley (Hanson).  They continued their close friendship until mom’s death.

Mom graduated from Blaine High School in 1952 and soon after she met Jim Bliss. They were married on Jan. 30, 1953.  As was the trend at that time, they soon found themselves with three daughters: Merideth, Barbara, and Carolyn.

Mom was known by many to be gracious, quick witted, and at times wickedly funny. Limerick’s were a favorite. She played pinochle with a group of women that met regularly for over 50 years.

Later, mom got together with her former classmates the Blaine Girls, a group that still meets.

Mom was an excellent seamstress making most of the clothes for her girls as well as clothes for their dolls, and some very elegant ensembles for herself. Eventually she was delighted to be able to sew for her three grandchildren. 

Mom worked for many years at the Thrifty Market in Blaine, which was owned by her mother and her brother Maurice. 

She also went to school to learn to be a florist and worked at Red Top Florist and later at Jensen’s Ferndale Floral. Floral arranging was just one of her many artistic expressions. 

Mom loved drawing, painting, crafting, and decorating her home as well as gardening. She took great joy in being a grandmother and ventured many times to Florida to visit her grandchildren.

Mom and her sister Judy took many a road trip as well. Ahhh to be a fly on the wall for those adventures.

Mom and dad were avid adventurers which started with a Cabin Cruiser they used to explore the San Juan Islands as well as the shores of British Columbia.

Later they invested in a pickup and camper and traveled to Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and even across the country to Florida.  They travelled to Europe including Morocco, Austria, England, Czech Republic, and Germany- some for multiple times.  

Pat is survived by husband, Jim Bliss; daughters, Merideth Bliss, Barbara Boucher (Mark); grandsons, Wilson and Corbin Troxel and granddaughter Michael Boucher; great-grandson Charlie Troxel; sister, Judy Munkres (Dale); brother, Brian Neudeck; nieces, Stephanie and Erika Watkins and nephew Jeff Watkins.

Pat was preceded in death by her daughter, Carolyn, as well as her parents and her brother Maurice. 

Private graveside services will be held and then we ask friends to join us for a celebration of her life Sunday, July 31 from 1-4 p.m. at the home of Jim Bliss, 6886 Vista Drive, Ferndale. 

Please share your thoughts and memories of Pat online at www.sigsfuneralservices.com.