From the Eau
Claire Leader-Telegram
Carol Bliss Wisehart
Carole L.
(Bliss) Wisehart, 73, of Newport died Sunday, September 13, 2015, at Mass
General Hospital in Boston after a gallant battle with ovarian cancer.
Carole was born on January 2, 1942, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the daughter
of the late James and the late Sophie (Rundberg) Bliss. As both her
maternal grandparents came from Norway, Carole was proud to be half
Norwegian.
She is survived by her two sons, Martin Wisehart and his wife, Maureen, of
Portland, OR, Paul Wisehart of Springfield, VT; her brother, Jan Bliss of
Novato, CA; and her granddaughter, Carly Bliss Wisehart.
In her early years, Carole was an “Army brat,” as the family lived in
various U.S. Army posts during World War II while her father was an
Artillery Officer and instructor. Upon returning to Eau Claire, the family
lived on Vine Street and Carole went to Campus School and Eau Claire
Memorial High School. She participated in many extracurricular activities,
was a cheerleader in her senior year, and graduated with the Class of ’59.
Carole received a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Wisconsin at
Eau Claire and then went to Hawaii where she met Ken Wisehart, an Officer
in the U.S. Navy. They married in Eau Claire, and moved for various Naval
assignments. The family arrived in Newport in 1978 when Ken became an
instructor at the Naval War College. They divorced in 1988 and Ken has
since passed away. Carole earned her Master’s Degree from the University
of Rhode Island. She worked as a lab technician for the URI Student Health
Services for 25 years, retiring in 2014 as their Director.
Carole was an avid skier, a sport she learned from her father in her
youth. She spent one winter as a ski bum in Vermont with her brother and
shared many ski trips with her sons. She also enjoyed biking, boating,
playing tennis, going to the beach, gardening and especially loved birds
and dogs. One of Carole’s greatest joys was spending time with her
granddaughter, Carly, named for the nickname given to Carole by her
father. A dedicated and caring daughter, she frequently flew home to
Wisconsin to aid in her mother’s healthcare.
Carole was a devoted and active member of the United Congregational Church
in Middletown where she served in many posts over the years, including
Vice Chair of the Trustees, Deacon, member of the Nominating Committee,
member of the Prayer Circle, member of the Search Committee, member of the
Chancel Choir and Bell Ringer. Carole was a generous and compassionate
person who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service in her memory will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday,
September 19, 2015, at the United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Road,
Middletown, RI. Burial will follow in the Churchyard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Congregational Church
Memorial Fund, 524 Valley Road, Middletown, RI 02842, or to The Healing
Co-operative, 272 Mitchell’s Lane, Middletown, RI 02842. Condolences and
additional information available at http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com.