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Nancy Jane Donnelly Bliss

Date of Death: December 23, 2024
Date of Birth: April 12, 1936
Biography:
Nancy Jane Donnelly Bliss, 88, died peacefully on December 23, 2024 at home in Brunswick, ME. Nancy was born to William Joseph and Edna Lincoln Donnelly on Easter Sunday April 12, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA. She is survived by her husband Howard Blatchford Bliss of 66 years; daughter Sarah, her husband John Seamans of Newbury, MA; son Daniel, his wife Joanne (Jody) Bliss of Colorado Springs, CO.; her grandchildren Daniel, his wife Katherine Seamans of Dresden ME, Holly Seamans of Topsham, ME, Courtney Bliss, her fiancée Matthew Kinney of Canaan, NH and Howard William (Will) Bliss of Nobleboro, ME and great-grandson Riley Seamans of Dresden, ME. She also leaves behind in-laws, John and Caroline Bliss of Bath, ME, and Joanne Carr Donnelly of Westwood, MA, four nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. Besides her parents, Nancy was predeceased by her brother William J Donnelly ll and sister in-law Mary H. Bliss.
Nancy was educated at Greenwich Country Day School, Greenwich CT, Abbot Academy, Andover MA, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL and Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY. After her graduation from Abbot Academy, Nancy continued to be a connector with her classmates by being the class secretary and organizer for many years of long friendships.
Nancy was a long time Kindergarten and Phonics/Reading teacher at the Greenwich Country Day School until her retirement to Brunswick Maine in 1996. Upon retirement, she continued to be an advocate for early education and learning by reading regularly to preschoolers at various locations around Brunswick including Success by 6 and Head Start.
She was a dedicated environmentalist and proponent of recycling and composting. She participated in the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 while living in CT, and was instrumental in bringing environmental education, awareness, and action to the Greenwich Country Day community. Nancy wrote many letters to the editor and to Senators Angus King and Susan Collins of Maine on various topics important to her including clean air and drinking water, recycling, and protected land use and more.
Her faith led her to Days Ferry Congregational church in Woolwich ME where she wore many hats over the last 20 years including, Sunday School teacher, Bible Study leader, prayer shawl knitter, Deacon and more. Nancy was always reaching out to others with her practice of writing notes of encouragement and support. She also loved to bake quick breads to give to new neighbors, a church member on the prayer list or a friend in need.
Nancy was an avid walker and birder continuing with these activities right up until two weeks before her death. She loved observing the natural world around her and was committed to preserving it by supporting various worthwhile organizations including Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Audubon and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Her summers at Camp Kehonka on lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire were treasured memories of hiking, canoeing and swimming in the lake where she developed lifelong friendships. Nancy enjoyed genealogy and researching her family roots in New York State and Ireland. Family was very important to Nancy and she treasured special times together, especially in the summer down at “the point” in Georgetown Maine. She was lovingly called Mimi by her four grands and being a part of their lives as they matured into young adults brought her great joy. She especially treasured her visits with her one year old great-grandson Riley as he grew this past year.
We remember our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, colleague and friend.
A family memorial gathering will be held later this summer.
Remembrance Gifts can be made to: Natural Resources Council of Maine 3 Wade St. Augusta, ME 04330 or Merrymeeting Audubon Summer Camp Scholarship Program, Merrymeeting Audubon, PO Box 51, Brunswick, ME 04011 with checks made out to Maine Audubon with memo: Merrymeeting Audubon Scholarship.