Dorothy Anne (Driscoll) Bliss

Dorothy Anne Bliss (Driscoll), 83, of Morrisville, unexpectedly passed away surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, April 6, 2025. 

Dorothy, known to many as Dot, was born in Johnson, Vermont, May 17, 1941, the daughter of Carl Everett Driscoll and Muriel (Norway) Driscoll.

 Graduating from Peoples Academy in 1959, she attended Johnson State College, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in education. Dorothy joyfully married Lawrence William Bliss on July 20, 1963 at the Puffer Methodist Church in Morrisville, Vermont.  Dot went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in curriculum from the University of Vermont and Johnson State College in 1989.

 Dot started her teaching career as a first grade teacher in Marshfield, where she was also instrumental in starting the Title I Reading Program.  In the early 1970s, Dot took a position as the Title I Program Coordinator at Peoples Academy. She was employed in this position from 1976-1998. Upon her retirement in 1998, she continued to work in the school district as a tutor and substitute teacher.  

Dot received an Award from the Vermont Department of Education in May 1985 for her dedication to Compensatory Education. This comes as no surprise as Dot spent her career teaching children to read, especially those who had challenges and disabilities in this content area. Throughout her teaching years, she created many connections with students and teachers. She had a calm and kind way with her students. Many were known to approach her in a variety of settings to thank her for teaching them to read and taking the time to care about their experience.  

Dot had many passions. First and foremost was her religious and spiritual growth. She considered members of the churches she attended to be her family. At the Methodist Church in Morrisville, and later the United Community Church, she tirelessly served on the Missions Committee. She also enjoyed being a Sunday School teacher at the Puffer Methodist Church.

 As a member of the Meals on Wheels of Lamoille County Board, Dot enjoyed many excursions with Larry delivering meals as volunteers. She also enjoyed staying connected with her many friends throughout the years, including her high school classmates, and served as Secretary of the Peoples Academy Alumni Association.

 Dot loved her family deeply and enjoyed going to countless sporting and extracurricular events involving her children and grandchildren.  She was an advocate for animals, and known for adopting dogs that nobody wanted. Dot loved walking her dogs and recently enjoyed people stopping to talk to her about her Sheltie, Rudy.  

 A Vermont girl at heart, Dot spent many hours hiking peaks, especially in Vermont and New Hampshire. She and Larry enjoyed bringing their cherished canoe to lakes and ponds in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. With her loved ones, Dot leaves behind many cherished memories of the trips she loved to take, especially to Maine. Dot loved reading, especially books featuring historical components. She also enjoyed many hours of researching the genealogy of her family.

Dot and Larry blissfully had three children, Anne Demars (James Doykos), Matthew Bliss (Wendy) and Patrick Bliss (Hillary).  Life blessed them with eight grandchildren, Ryan Demars (Sarah), Carter Demars (Alysha), Christian Demars (Emily), Joshua Bliss, Gregory Bliss, Erica Bliss, Ella Bliss and Peyton Bliss. Dot also cherished her time with many nieces and nephews that lived in a variety of states. 

Left to cherish Dot’s memory is her husband and her love, Lawrence Bliss. Dot leaves a beloved sister, Bette Kirk, that lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband, Bob. 

Dot was predeceased by her parents, Muriel (Norway) Sulham, Carl Everett Driscoll and a step-father, Maurice Sulham.  Dot had two treasured brothers that predeceased her, Lt. Col. Bruce Driscoll and Carl (Sonny) Driscoll.  She was predeceased by a daughter, Laurie Anne Bliss, at birth.  

Dot’s family is thankful for the gratitude and love they have felt from the community since her passing. Dot was selfless and continually put others first, and has touched the lives of so many. 

 Calling hours will be held at the United Community Church of Morrisville on Wednesday, April 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held to commemorate Dot at the United Community Church on Saturday, April 19, at 3 p.m. 

 Memorial contributions in Dot’s name can be made to Justice for Dogs (justicefordogsvt.org), Meals on Wheels (mowlc.org), or “Breakfast on Us” (mail check to United Community Church, PO Box 475, Morrisville, VT 05661, and put in the memo, “BOU / Dot Bliss”).

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