Imelda “Mel” Elizabeth (Coutu) Bliss
Imelda “Mel” Elizabeth (Coutu) Bliss, 77, of Rehoboth, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Edward John Bliss Sr., to whom she was married on July 5, 1958.
Born on Jan. 25, 1940 in St. Johnsbury, VT, she was the daughter of the late Armand R. and Nellie E. (Roystan) Coutu.
A resident of Rehoboth for the past 60 years, she had worked as a teacher in the Rehoboth school system, and had long volunteered as an election warden there. Mel had also previously worked at the family’s business, Attleboro Rehoboth Building Supplies in Rehoboth.
A quiet, private and reserved woman, Mel had a love of nature, the outdoors, animals of every kind and always had a special place in her heart for children. She enjoyed collecting duck carvings and decoys, playing cards as a younger woman, and simply being at home. More than anything in her life, Mel loved being with her family and her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband Edward, she is survived by her children, Edward John Bliss Jr. and his wife Barbara Bliss of Rehoboth and Peter James Bliss and his wife Karla M. Bliss of Tolland, CT. She was the adoring grandmother of Bethany Costa, Jacob Bliss, Nathan Bliss and Emily Bliss, and the proud great grandmother of Gabriel Costa and Hadley Bliss. Mel was the sister of: Raymond Coutu of Vt.; Armand “Buddy” R. Coutu Jr., of Rehoboth; Mary Craw of Attleboro; Nellie Stafford of Pawtucket; Amanda Manning of Pawtucket; Emma Parker of Attleboro; Sarah Coutu of Attleboro; Ruth Curry of Attleboro; Daniel Coutu of New Hampshire and David Coutu of Vermont. She was predeceased by her sister, Theresa Marie Lemieux. Mel leaves numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Mel by gathering for a visitation on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home — the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave., Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. immediately followed by a funeral service at noon at Dyer-Lake Funeral Home.
A graveside service will immediately follow the funeral service in Rehoboth Village Cemetery, Rehoboth.
A children’s room is available during the visitation and funeral service.
Those in need of transportation to visitation may simply call the funeral home at 508-695-0200 to make an advance reservation for complimentary local transportation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Mel to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
For additional information or to send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave., Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA 02760, 508-695-0200.
