Heather Louise Bliss

On October 1, 2024, Heather Louise Bliss lost her courageous battle with breast cancer in Seattle, Washington at the age of 55. At her bedside were her husband of 25 years, Wade Lee Brannon and loving children, Blake William Bliss Brannon and Cyrus Ryder Bliss Brannon.

Heather was a life-long Girl Scout, culminating in taking 8 middle school girls on a travel experience to Denali in Alaska. She also counted as a life accomplishment the two total solar eclipses she saw with her family: Oregon 2017 and Texas 2023.

She spent 23 years working in Human Resources for the University of Washington. She completed her career as the Director of Academic Human Resources in the Office of Academic Personnel for the Provost, where she received the 2024 OAP Core Values Achievement Award. While working she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Law Societies and Justice in 2010.

In 1976, Heather rode across the county on triple tandem bicycle with Father, William Baumgarten (†) and sister, Shannon Alison Bliss, while Mother, Bonnie Lou Ryder Bliss (†), rode on a separate bike. They followed the Bikecentennial route from Virginia to Oregon and then added some additional riding down the coast. Heather and Shannon were the youngest riders to complete the route.

Heather is also survived by sister, Shannon Louise Bliss, nephew, Rylan Madison Bliss. Brother-in-law, Mark Kenneth Brannon, sister-in-law, Elissa Benson Brannon, niece, Willow Benson Brannon, nephew, Jasper Benson Brannon. Sister-in-law, Michelle Kathleen Brannon, brother-in-law, John Cooney, and nephews Connor, Sean, and Liam Cooney. Father-in-law, Michael Lee Brannon.

Heather was born on May 18, 1969 in Santa Clara, CA. She is a graduate of Del Mar High School, San Jose, Ca.

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center. The scientists that have developed so many therapies for cancer still have a ways to go and it takes money to do their research.