Melissa Wyss

Melissa Blair Wyss died peacefully at midnight on June 21 at Marshall Comfort Care supported by family, friends, and the staff of Comfort Care and Oaklawn Hospice. She was exactly 79 years old. Missy was born in 1943, the second daughter of Harriet and James Blair and she grew up in Delaware, Ohio. She received her BA and MA from Ohio State University. Missy married Hal Wyss in 1964, on her 21st birthday. They had two daughters, Laura and Trudy. In 1970, the family moved to Albion, Michigan, when Hal was offered a professorship at Albion College. Missy was a pioneer at the college, starting both the first women’s swim team and the dance program. She especially enjoyed teaching ballroom dance and directing an annual dance show.

Missy and Hal were lifelong travelers, first crisscrossing the US by motorhome with their family each summer, adding cruises and guided tours as they grew older (including South Africa, Australia, and the Galapagos). Their favorite destination was Costa Rica, where they visited former students Roy Umana and Alexandra Jimenez, who became lifelong friends.

Missy was a stalwart advocate for the town of Albion and loved her friends there. She chaired Albion’s Lifelong Learning program, started a committee to replace trees cut down in town, and supported many mainstays of the Albion community including the Bohm Theatre, the Ismon House, Albion’s Philanthropic Women, and the ELT Club.

Missy was preceded in death by Carolyn Blair-Stanek (sister), Hal (husband), and Laura (daughter). She is survived by her daughter Trudy (Chris) and adored grandsons Myles and Jules Gates, her son-in-law Glyn Wyss, and her nephew Andrew Blair-Stanek (Elisa) and his family of four young children.

A memorial service will be held at Albion’s First United Methodist Church, on Saturday, September 3, time TBD. Thank you to Comfort Care of Marshall, Oaklawn Hospice, and Missy’s companion Sharon Robinson for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Bohm Theatre or the Ismon House.