Obituary of JoAnn L. Bliss

MOHAWK – JoAnn L. Bliss, age 68, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, March 30, 2022, at the MVHS St. Elizabeth Campus in Utica. Born on October 20, 1953, JoAnn was the daughter of the late Robert J. Sweeney and Charlotte J. Cuda. She was raised and educated in Ilion, graduating from Ilion High School with the Class of 1972. She then went on to continue her education at Utica Beauty School where she became a licensed Cosmetologist. At one time, JoAnn was married to Thomas Vibbard, Sr., a relationship from which came the blessing of two sons. On December 24, 1998, JoAnn was again wed to Mr. Bernard “Bernie” Bliss and together they shared in a loving and devoted union of over ten years, until Bernie’s untimely passing on December 6, 2009. JoAnn was an extremely hard working woman. For many years, she worked alongside her mother at Charlotte’s Beauty Salon in Mohawk. She also held positions at Duofold and Agway. Many may remember JoAnn from her years of employment with Herb Philipson’s in Herkimer as the Store Manager. JoAnn, along with her husband, Bernie, not only operated the Herkimer Family and Farm Center, but kept horses as well; she was a lover of all animals. She had a kind heart and always made the best of any situation. She was the life of the party, had an amazing sense of humor, and was renowned for her joke about having “dog jaw”! Above all else, JoAnn was the strongest and most courageous person one could ever have the honor of knowing. She was the best sister and mother you could ask for, sharing an unbreakable bond with her two sons. Any time spent with family at holidays or gatherings were amongst her happiest, and her presence will forever live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind. She is survived by her sons, Cory Vibbard and his wife, Arlene, of Ilion and Thomas Vibbard, Jr. of Herkimer; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Robin and John Tripple of Frankfort and Melissa and Charles Elthorp of Ilion; her brother-in-law, Todd Harper of Columbia Center; her nieces and nephews, Chelsea Tripple, Rochelle, Harper, John Tripple, Anthony Tripple, Edward Mosher, Robert Mosher, Michael Amadon, TJ Harper and their families; along with numerous cousins, friends and her pride and joy, her dog, Mia. Aside from her parents and husband, Bernie, JoAnn was predeceased by her sister, Kelly Harper; her maternal grandparents, Josephine and Thomas Cuda; her paternal grandparents, Anne and John Sweeney; and her aunts, Antoinette Grogan, Bernice Wright, Kathleen Toher, Marie Hamiester and Lucille Matthews. In keeping with JoAnn’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral services at this time. Her family has entrusted her arrangements to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000, Harry and Kevin Enea, Martin L. Ciaccia and Don Applegate, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.