Janet Bliss Mello

Janet Pennycuick Bliss Mello passed away peacefully on April 2, 2017 in the presence of her family and friends. Janet's joy for life and love of people touched everyone who knew her. When she walked into a room, the light got brighter. Her beloved daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Brian Johnston, survive her. Janet spoke often of her love for the two of them, and she treasured their time together.

Janet was born on her mother's birthday, June 5, 1948, in San Antonio. She was the only child of Eloise Wagner and Roy Pennycuick. Janet grew up in the Alamo Heights neighborhood and graduated from Alamo Heights High School. During her childhood, she met and grew up with Keb Bliss and Tracy Beaulieu, two of her beloved lifelong friends. Janet married Keb in 1968; Kristin was their only child.

Janet graduated from the University of Texas in Austin where she was a member of Chi Omega. She later earned a Master of Arts from the University of North Texas. She began her teaching career in Houston. Janet then worked at Richardson ISD from 1971 until 1995. She taught at Yale and Hamilton Park Schools, worked in the Gifted and Talented program, and served on the Teacher Cadre. For the past ten years, she continued to work with paraprofessionals in RISD.

Janet joined the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD in 1995 as the Director of Professional Development. During her time in CFB, she instituted an innovative model for professional development. She was a graduate of the National Staff Development Council Academy, a member of Coaching for Results, Inc., and a board member on the Texas Staff Development Council. She participated in numerous local, state, and national educational organizations including STAR Learners. For the last 17 years Janet worked as a national and international educational consultant for Quality Learning by Design, I-Station, Literacy First, and Catapult Learning.

Janet's calling in life was education. She worked tirelessly and passionately to improve learning for children and for everyone else involved in schools. She brought expertise, compassion, insight, and joy into her work. Through this work, Janet enthusiastically travelled and experienced many places and people. She loved her colleagues, particularly her Literacy First family, and she was always ready to welcome and mentor a new colleague or educator. Janet had the gift of making scores of friends and connecting people wherever she went.

In addition to Keb Bliss, she leaves behind former husband Tom Mello. Her cousins, Margaret Carey, Vivian Pennycuick and many other cherished family members survive her. Janet had a multitude of very close friends, and she treasured each of them. During her final weeks, her beloved friends, Tracy Beaulieu, Sharon and Tipp Tipping, Julia Earl, Pam Smith, Mary Rodriguez, Joanne and Bob Moore, Sue Miller, and Patty Stansbury surrounded her.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 5, at Janet's church, Custer Road United Methodist Church, 6601 Custer Road, Plano, TX, with the Reverend Kory Knot officiating. A Celebration of Life gathering will follow from 3:30-5:30 at Anamia's Restaurant at 3408 Preston Road, Plano, Texas. In lieu of flowers a scholarship is being set up in Janet's name with the Richardson ISD Excellence in Education Foundation, Suite 205, 400 S. Greenville Avenue, Richardson, Texas 75081. Please include Janet Bliss Mello Scholarship fund so they will know it is a donation in her memory. You can also go online to make a contribution.