Wilma Bliss

Wilma Rushton Bliss

1930 ~ 2019

Wilma Rushton Bliss passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Sunday, October 27th at the age of 89.

Wilma was born in Salt Lake City, UT on September 22nd, 1930 to Albert and Mary Rushton.  She cherished her childhood, especially her time working alongside her father on the dry farm.  Wilma was very social, even from a young age.  She was one of seven children and idolized her siblings.  She attended Cyprus High School in Magna, Utah, where she was a cheerleader.  She loved to date and spend time with her friends and cousins.

Wilma met her future eternal companion, Sheldon Earl Bliss, in high school and was immediately smitten.  He was handsome, fun, hardworking, and “had a car”.  They were engaged in May, 1948 on the day of her high school graduation and married on December 11th of the same year. Together they fulfilled part of her childhood dream of having “perfect, talented children”.  They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 9th, 1976.

Wilma adored her children and devoted countless hours to them.  Shellie was a gifted, gorgeous dancer and pageant queen and Trent was an all-star athlete.  She could always be seen playing ball with Trent in the yard or working with Shellie on her dance routines.

Wilma was a perfect grandmother and treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren beyond measure.  Affectionately known as “Granny Great”, Wilma could be found on the floor, playing in the ditch, tossing a ball, and reading books to her little loves well into her early 80s.

Wilma was a fixture in her Hunter, Utah community.  She was fiercely loyal to her family, friends, and faith.  She loved the gospel and served in various callings throughout her life, also serving as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple for many years.

Wilma was very artistic.  She loved tole painting and created beautiful pieces for her friends and family, particularly gorgeous refinished vintage carousel horses.  She loved dance and was often seen at the dance studio with a huge smile, confidently instructing the girls to “point your toes!”  Wilma was a closet poet and has written several gorgeous works of rhyme and prose.  She was obsessed with music, particularly Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, and even took piano lessons in her 60s.  She spent hours at her antique player piano, pumping away at the pedals with her grandchildren singing “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree”.

Wilma was a woman of Victorian elegance and grace.  She lived and loved intensely.  Her life was governed by three special principles:  “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  “A Bliss never quits.”  And, “Go for the gusto.”  She will be sorely missed.

Wilma is survived by her two children, Shellie Bliss Pearson and Trent (Jeri Lynn) Bliss; eight grandchildren, and many great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Sheldon Earl Bliss; parents, Albert Lewis and Mary (Staker) Rushton; and siblings Merlyn, Clyde, Richard, Inez, Bessie, and Dora.

Funeral services for Wilma will be held on Saturday, November 2nd at 1:30 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 3970 S. 5200 W. in West Valley City, Utah.  There will also be a visitation the evening of Friday, November 1st between the hours of 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the same building.  Interment will be immediately after the funeral service at Valley View Memorial Park in West Valley City.