Obituary of Judy Bliss-Ridgway

Judy A. Bliss-Ridgway, age 79, went to her heavenly home on Monday, January 23, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, New York. Judy was born June 7, 1943, to the late Melvin and Mildred (Harrington) Bliss of Troupsburg, NY. She was the eighth of eleven children and spent her childhood on the family’s dairy farm.

After attending Troupsburg Central School, Judy raised her family and attended St. James School of Nursing in Hornell, NY. After receiving her RN, she worked in area hospitals until finding her passion as a psychiatric nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital. While there, Judy earned her national psychiatric nursing credentials. Judy spent many years volunteering with the Syracuse chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where she served as a president for 17 years, and past president. She also served with NAMI New York State.  

Judy was a woman of many talents and loved to share them with her many friends and very large family. She was always willing to run a committee or hold a party. Judy and her husband, Joe, especially enjoyed hosting New Year’s Eve parties to welcome the new year and to celebrate their wedding anniversary. She took pride in creating a home where people felt welcome. Judy’s quick wit and smile that charmed will be missed by the many friends and colleagues that she collected over the years.

Those lucky enough to greet her in heaven were her parents, Melvin and Mildred Bliss; sister, Betty Wheaton; brothers, Larry, Earl, Roy, Arling, William, and Alan Bliss; and her son, Todd Sawyer, and mother-in-law, Bertha Holland. Judy is survived by her husband of 25 years, Joseph Ridgway; her son, Timothy Sawyer of Germany; her daughters, Patricia Robords of Wayland, NY, Pamela (Alan) Gould of Blairs, VA, Amy (Robert) Hoppough of Elbert, CO, Krista (Matthew) Rogers of Cohocton, NY, Jennifer (Kenneth) Claud of Perry, NY, Kelley (Christopher) Bigness of Syracuse, NY, Krysten (Benjamin Gruel) Ridgway of Syracuse, NY; daughter-in-law, Pamela Woodworth; sisters, Audrey Stepanian of Jasper, NY, Bonnie (Dennis) Cady of Montour Falls, NY; brother, Melvin (Rose) Bliss Jr. of Mt. Joy, PA; sisters-in-law, Dolores Bliss of Buffalo, NY, Jeanine Bliss of Troupsburg, NY and Kathy Bliss of Hornell, NY, Diane Beaudry of Canada; Lise Beaudry of Canada; brothers-in-law, Robert (Carole Piché) Beaudry of Canada, Marcel (Danielle Sauvageau) Beaudry of Canada, Christian (Lucie Gosselin) Beaudry of Canada, Julien (Thierry) Beaudry of Canada; mother-in-law, Gertrude Beaudry of Canada; 20 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, February, 4, 2023, at 11:00 AM. The service will take place at Judy’s place of worship, All Saints Church, 1340 Lancaster Ave, Syracuse, NY, 13204.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to NAMI|Syracuse, 917 Avery Ave, Syracuse, NY 13204 (NAMI Syracuse | NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness)