Matters of the Heart
Jean and Marty Bliss overcome adversity together in a strong, 55-year marriage
by Judy Williams
Life hasn’t always been easy for Jean and Marty Bliss of Stockbridge, but their strong love for each other helps them get through the difficult times.
Their story started in 1968, when Jean Hardt and Marty Bliss met at work. Jean, a lifelong resident of the Stockbridge area, first met the love of her life at Bob’s Blazes Inn in Jackson. She was working as a waitress and Marty, a Jackson resident, was the bartender.
“It was love at first sight,” stated the petite Jean. She was quick to add, “He was interested in me and told everyone else to stay away.”
On Nov. 2, 1968, just eight months after that first meeting, the couple were married in the Stockbridge Presbyterian Church. Jean and Marty have lived their entire married life in Stockbridge, where they raised three children: Martin, Jennifer and Brian. They have been blessed with four grandchildren: Martin Ross, Brandon, Quinton, and Megan and five great-grandchildren: Madison, Roman, Heven, Lily and Milly.
Through their more than 55 years of marriage, the Blisses have had to deal with many obstacles. The first test of their strength came in 2006, when Jean received her first diagnosis of lung and liver cancer. Over the last 16 years, she has experienced several reoccurrences of this disease. Currently, she is being checked every six months.
In 2007, the plant where Marty had worked for 46 years closed, and Marty was left without a job. Due to the unexpected financial hardship, this was a time the Blisses think of as one of the most difficult of their married life. In the same year, their oldest son, Martin, was diagnosed with brain cancer. He passed away just over a year later.
The year 2014 brought another challenge to the Bliss family, when their daughter Jennifer was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jennifer continues to battle cancer, which has metastasized to her brain.
Through all of these many challenges, the couple has found strength in their love for each other. They also share similar interests. Camping is one of the many things they enjoy doing together.
Marty had some words of wisdom for sustaining a long and happy relationship. “Simply say ‘yes, dear,’” he said. “That’s my way of avoiding an argument.”
Jean, getting the last word in, said, “Never go to bed mad. You never know what tomorrow will bring and you may not have a chance to tell someone how much you love them.”
Jean requested that we end this article by mentioning a story about them waking up on a Sunday morning to their front porch covered with hay. Apparently, this has a hidden meaning for Jean, Marty and friends, but she chose not to go into the detail. All others are welcome to make up their own story using this little bit of information Jean has shared. For now, we’ll just leave it with “Hay, Jean!” and “Hay, Marty!”
Through all that life has handed them, Jean and Marty Bliss have found strength in their love for each other. Photo provided by the Blisses.
