Hatherly Bliss "Sis" Knowles passed away on June 23, 2010, at her home in Bellevue, Idaho, at age 83. She was born in Oakland, Calif., on Sept. 22, 1926, to Will Bliss and Hatherly Brittain Bliss. She grew up in Piedmont, Calif., and attended Frank C. Havens School and The Anna Head School. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Her love of the mountains was established over many summers at Glenbrook, Nev., where the Bliss family operated the Glenbrook Inn and Ranch. Sis was an active sportswoman during her youth. She was a ski racer at Nevada and during the summers an accomplished equestrian, usually on the back of her treasured horse, Stardust. Sis was a fierce and capable tennis player and played many competitive matches, including Glenbrook's summer rivalry with the team from River Ranch. Her greatest accomplishment as a golfer was her hole-in-one on Glenbrook's storied third hole, with no less a companion than Clark Gable himself.
After college, Sis went to Hollywood where she worked at Young & Rubicam before going to work for Bing Crosby's production company. In 1953, she married Richard Schutte, whom she had met during an earlier summer at Glenbrook. She and Dick had two children during their short marriage. After the divorce, Sis and her kids moved to San Francisco from Piedmont. She led an active social life and was married briefly to Gorham Knowles. She opened an art gallery on Union Street with Lani Mein and played lots of tennis at the Cal Club. After her kids went away to high school, Sis moved to her beloved 1360 Montgomery St. on Telegraph Hill. She met her life partner Robert T. "Robbie" Williams there. Sis hosted countless raucous, joyous affairs and truly had the time of her life while living there.
In 1969, she built her dream house on family property at Glenbrook. Designed by Sandy Walker, the house resembled an old barn. For nearly the next 20 years, Sis and her kids hosted generations of friends for summer functions and Thanksgiving gatherings that will be remembered through the ages by those lucky enough to attend.
In 1987, Sis left San Francisco and moved to Ketchum, Idaho, where she lived until 2005, when she relocated to Bellevue. She enjoyed skiing, hiking and bicycling until her later years. Known by most at this point as "Bliss," she cherished the friendship and kindness of her many neighbors in Bellevue, never more than in her final months.
During her life, Bliss proudly served on the board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Borel Bank and the advisory board of the Idaho Community Foundation. She was an active volunteer at Blaine Manor and at Wood River Medical Center.
She is survived by her daughter, Megan Walton (Bill) of San Anselmo, Calif., and their son, Will; her son, Will Schutte (Suzanne) of San Francisco and their children, Jake and Graham Koten; her daughter, Anna; and her brother, William W. Bliss and his son, Billy. She was preceded in death by her partner, Robbie Williams, as well as by many cherished canines such as her first dog, Michael, gentle Maile, sweet Cassidy and her beloved Charlie, all of whom are now getting more walks and dog biscuits than ever before!
The family requests that any donations be made to the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley or Hospice of the Wood River Valley. A celebration of her life will be held soon. Arrangements are under the care of Wood River Chapel of Hailey (www.woodriverchapel.com).
