Betty Bliss: Former Owner of the Briceland Store

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My mother Betty Bliss passed away peacefully in her home on December 3rd 2024 just 10 days before her 93rd birthday. She was born Betty Alice Basom on December 13th 1931 in Thermopolis Wyoming to John Emerson Basom and Susanne Floryne Basom. Mom had two siblings, her brother Dhane and her sister Wyoma.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents John Basom and Susanne Basom, her brother Dhane Basom, her sister Wyoma Snyder, ex husband and friend Larry Bliss, her oldest and very good friend Mish, and many many four legged friends.

Betty is survived by me, Sarah Finley, her only child. Her son in law Bill Finley. Granddaughters Nicole and Jasmine Finley. Grandsons Gavin Finley and Forrest Borzini. Brother in law Scott Bliss, who never forgot to call her every day. Sister in law Claire Piccinelli. Her friend Mish’s daughters Julie and Caitlin who were like daughters to her and sisters to me, and many much loved extended family and friends.

The Basom family lived in Thermopolis Wyoming until they moved to Amarillo Texas when mom was around five years old. All three of the Basom children were very musically talented. Mom started playing music at a very young age. Her life’s passion was the violin but I cannot think of any instrument that she could not play. She would say that there were some that she didn’t play well, but she could still play them.

She studied music at Southwestern at Memphis Tennessee (now Rhodes College) and UC Berkeley where she met my dad Lawrence Hugh Bliss. They married in 1958 and I was born in March of 1968. We moved from the Bay Area to Southern Humboldt as part of the back to the land movement in July of 1969 where they ran the Briceland Store (a little hippie convenience store and gathering place) until 1973.

Moms musical career was long and varied. She was music teacher to many children and adults. In addition to private lessons, she taught music at Skyfish School (when I was a kid), Briceland High, and College of the Redwoods SoHum branch, where she taught and conducted the choir, and taught music history.

She played in and was concert master of the Eureka Symphony Orchestra, was first chair violin of the Meadowood String Quartet, Played in the Ukiah Symphony Orchestra, played at the Mendocino Music Festival, Played in the Lake County Orchestra, and so many other music groups. One of her greatest joys was attending the Humboldt State Music Workshop. She said it was like music camp for adults. In 2018 she was honored by the Chamber Players of the Redwoods with the Floyd A. Glende award for her outstanding achievements and contributions to music on the north coast.

Mom loved her family, friends and community very much, but was the most happiest about the little family that I stepped into when I married. She loved her grand kids with all of her heart!

Over the last five years there were many amazing and wonderful people that came into our lives as helpers and care givers, but in the end there was a core group of loving giving people that made it possible for mom to stay in her home. Laurie, who lived with her the last two years of her life. Laurie has been our rock and has become family. Alice, Joe and Vicky, who were amazing on a daily basis. Heart of the Redwoods Community Hospice, and several wonderful neighbors and friends. Thank you all so much for helping me. All she wanted and asked for was to stay in her home and I could not have done that without all of you.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday April 5th. from noon until 5:00 pm at the
Beginnings Octagon in Briceland. Please bring a pot luck side dish, Salad or dessert. In lieu of flowers,
donations can be made to Heart of the Redwoods Community Hospice at 464 Maple lane in
Garberville.