Obituary of Blossom May Tibbits

Blossom used to tell anyone who asked her age, “I was born on the day Lindbergh landed in Paris.” She was born in Detroit, Michigan to Richard and Ella Burton Benka. and had an identical twin sister, Flora. They both excelled academically and attended the University of Michigan on scholarships after graduating from Southeastern High School. Both were Phi Beta Kappa members and went on for graduate work – Flora to receive an MD degree and Blossom a Master of Arts in History. Flora and her husband Ed Stehouwer served as missionaries in Nigeria. After their return to Michigan Flora developed cancer and died in her mid-fifties. This was a great loss to Blossom.
             Blossom. married Charles Boyd Tibbits, an engineering graduate of the University of Michigan. They lived for a brief period in Berlin, New Hampshire where Blossom taught English to French Canadians. Upon their return to Ann Arbor, Michigan she taught in the public schools in the area. In 1967 they moved to Mercer Island, Washington. Chuck established an engineering firm in Seattle specializing in pulp and paper mill power plants. His expertise took him to many parts of the United States and such foreign countries as Norway and Chile as a Consultant. He was very active in TAPPI, his professional organization of which he became national Secretary. Blossom enjoyed the fellowship of other wives at the national TAPPI meetings.

Chuck and Blossom adopted two sons and a daughter. Bruce Tibbits lives in Lynwood, Washington with his two sons Charles and Brandon. Keith Tibbits, died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest on Christmas Eve, 2017 at his home in North Hollywood, California. Their daughter Carla Adams lives with her husband Michael in North Charleston, South Carolina. Her daughter Monica and son Ryan from her marriage to Scott Bishop live near-by. Carla has been an absolute jewel during these last difficult stages of Blossom’s journey. .Blossom is also survived by her nephews Richard and Ed Stehouwer and her niece Ellen Stehouwer who has a medical practice in Poulsbo. She is also survived by grand nieces and nephews as well as numerous relatives from Chuck’s family.

In addition to being a mother and homemaker, Blossom was Office Manager for her husband’s firm. In honor of her husband she established scholarships in engineering in his name at the University of Michigan and TAPPI. She also established a Blossom Benka scholarship for a graduate student in history at her alma mater.

They moved to a beautiful home on Liberty Bay, Lemolo on the day Mount St. Helen’s erupted. Though they had a contractor, they did much of the work themselves. Blossom even laid the parquet flooring in the kitchen as part of this family project.

Amazingly she found time to be quite active in the League of Women Voters until the past few years. At one time she was President of the Kitsap County Chapter.

She and her husband were vitally involved in Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church during the time when the Reverend Doctor John Haberlin was pastor. They both were Elders and chaired committees as well as taught adult Sunday School classes.

After almost 50 years of their married life Charles B. Tibbits died in September 1999 after a debilitating illness.

On November 1, 2008 Blossom married Paul W. Murphey in a ceremony performed by Dr. Haberlin. They had known each other for several years at CKPC. Paul’;s previous wife Namiko had earlier developed Alzheimers and returned to Japan to be with her family.

In 2009 they became part of the church family of Summit Avenue Presbyterian Church, Bremerton where they have especially appreciated the exceptional preaching and pastoral ministry of their Pastor Susie Beil and warm and friendly fellowship there.

In December 2010 they moved to Country Meadows in Silverdale where they were avidly involved in a wide range of activities. When it became apparent that they needed to be in assisted living they moved to Summerville, South Carolina to be near Carla and her family.

On August 1, 2018 Blossom fell and a brain hemorrhage resulted. She received exceptional care at Summerville Medical Center but returned to their home of less than a month on the 3^rd. She was under Hospice Care and received the most incredible care possible. On Sunday, August 5 at 11:30 am with Carla on one side of her and Paul on the other as she lay in bed she breathed her last and went to life in the fullness of God’s love and care.

A celebration of the Resurrection of Christ and the life of Blossom Tibbits will be held at Summit Avenue Presbyterian Church, Bremerton at 2:00 pm Sunday afternoon, August 19. A reception follows at the church. In lieu of flowers those who wish to honor her may do so by contributing to an organization of their choice. Blossom was particularly pleased to support the North Kitsap Fishline and the Salvation Army (Bremerton Post). She would also be pleased for contributions to the Memorial Fund at Summit Avenue Presbyterian Church. Her husband,  son, and daughter are deeply grateful to all who have served her so well and whose prayers have brought strength and comfort

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