Shirley Ida Evans Bliss

Mom left this earth on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in Oakley, Utah. Shirley was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 24, 1932, to Stanley Herbert Evans Sr. and Irma Brinton.

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Shirley grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from East High School. She attended and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Modern Dance. For a brief time, she was a stewardess for United Airlines, and during that time met her future husband Richard Arthur Bliss Sr. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on September 2, 1954, by Elder Eldred G. Smith, Patriarch to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shirley is now reunited with her beloved Dick, as he passed away on December 15, 2016.

Shirley was a homemaker while raising her four children. She later worked part-time as a high school teacher and an agent for U.S. Customs at the Salt Lake City International Airport. Shirley also enjoyed her acting career as both she and her husband loved the arts and performed in the chorus with some of their children in the Utah Opera. For many years, Shirley was also affiliated with Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. She loved the stage and performing and enjoyed multiple trips with her husband to New York and around the world attending operas.

Granny, as she was known by her grandchildren, loved to spend time with her grandchildren at the pool, playing scrabble, and making wonderful memories at her family cabin and on family trips to Laguna Beach, California. Shirley was an avid artist and seamstress. She made clothing for her family, baby blankets for each grandchild, and birthday gifts. She was known for her china-painted porcelain plates and watercolor pencil florals, an art form that she learned from her mother, Irma. Shirley’s passion for art was passed on to her children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her brother Stanley H. Evans Jr. (Carol), sister Sandra E. Smith, children Kathi Lyn Bliss, Richard Arthur Bliss Jr. (Karylyn), Kristin Lee Perkins (David), and Ryan Stanley Bliss (Denise), 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The Bliss family offers their deepest gratitude to the staff at Elk Meadows Assisted Living Center in Oakley, Utah for the loving concern, kindness, and friendship they showed Shirley over the past six years. The family truly appreciates the wonderful care shown to her and the attention given when she was in her last days.

In lieu of floral tributes, the family asks that you donate to your favorite charity in Shirley’s memory.

A viewing for family and close friends will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. Graveside services will be held at noon at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.