Bloss, Mary Land

Mary Louise (Land) Bloss, 100, of Blacksburg, Virginia, passed away on February 2, 2025. She was born July 9, 1924, in Eminence, Kentucky, to Mary Lou (Swetnam) Land and Paul Wesley Land.

In 1945 Louise graduated from the University of Kentucky where she met her future husband, F. Donald Bloss, at a dance. For 74 years, they ballroom danced, played Bridge, traveled across the globe, and hosted students and colleagues from Don’s career in mineralogy. An avid Kentucky Wildcat fan, Louise became a Hokies follower after the family moved to Blacksburg in 1967. She was an active member of Northside Presbyterian Church and co-founder of the Chapter AU of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Lou and Paul W. Land; her husband of 74 years, F. Donald Bloss; a three-year-old son, Donald Keith Bloss; a sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Marion Smither; and a brother and sister-in-law, William Leslie and Mary Evelyn Land.

She is survived by her daughters, Terry Kensler (Robert) of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Janet Shuff (Ron) of Southlake, Texas; and Jill Bloss of Radford, Virginia; grandchildren, Andrew Kensler (Marian) of Seattle, Washington; Jonathan Kensler (Jennifer) of Fulshear, Texas; Matthew Shuff of Austin, Texas; and Suzanne Waters (Sean) of Richardson, Texas; four great-grandchildren, Daniel, Veronica, Phoebe, and Edward Kensler of Seattle, Washington; a nephew, Larry Smither (Betty) of Crestwood, Kentucky; and a niece, Mary Leslie Geoghegan (Ron) of Louisville, Kentucky.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Northside Presbyterian Church. Louise and Don’s cremains will be interred in Eminence Cemetery at Eminence, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Northside Presbyterian Church, 1017 Progress St., NW, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060. The family extends many thanks to the nurses at Showalter Center and the caretakers from Medi Home Health and Hospice for the loving care Louise and Don received while living there.