Louise Blish

1929 - 2017

Louise Blish, 87

Muncie - Louise Blish (nee Metzger), age 87, mother of Jeanette Hathaway, died May 15, 2017, at home.

She was born on November 11, 1929, to Carl Bryan Metzger and Zilpha Adele (Baker) Metzger. She was raised on the family cattle ranch in the Sand Hills of northwest Nebraska near Merriman.

She completed her primary schooling in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was a 1951 graduate of the University of Nebraska with Bachelor's Degrees in English and History. While in college she joined the Palladian Society Literary Club, where she met fellow member Ervin Ralph Blish. They were married for 61 years until his death in 2013. 

In addition to nurturing her children and grandchildren, Louise was a career volunteer. Her many activities include: leadership roles in the local chapter of the American Association of University Women; being a respected docent for the Indiana University Art Museum; serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for vulnerable children; leading Girl Scout troops; reading to children as part of the Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM); and hosting and participating in the women's circle of the First United Methodist Church. An ardent advocate of the arts, she routinely attended IU School of Music performances, the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, and supported WFIU/WTIU and public radio. She led a modest life; her few indulgences were trips abroad to immerse herself in her love for Ancient Classical cultures and art. She strived to make a difference in the world through liberal causes and humanitarian efforts. She hosted international students, supported Native American communities, and advocated for women's rights. She was an environmentalist, devoting untold hours cultivating her suburban flower garden and bird sanctuary.  She was never without a feline. 

She is survived by her brother Arthur Bryan Metzger; children Angela O'Malley (Tim), Becky Carter (Steve), Jeanette Louise Hathaway (Jeff), and David Blish (Susan); her grandchildren Alison O'Malley (Sean Larson), Emily Goble (Tyler), Andrew Hinnefeld (Misty), Edward Hinnefeld, Elizabeth Hathaway (John Balbach, Jr.), Brian Hathaway (Samantha Sieloff), Madeline Blish, Abigail Blish, Elizabeth Carter (Kim Seyfert), and Ens. Patrick Carter; and great-grandchildren Maya Hinnefeld, Charles Hinnefeld, Luke Balbach, and Addison Goble. The family is grateful to Louise's in-home caregivers, especially Sibley, Jennifer, and Lea. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Newell David Metzger. 

Friends and family are invited to her memorial service June 3, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, 219 East 4th Street. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to Pets Alive (812-349-1349), Heifer International (heifer.org), EarthJustice (earthjustice.org), or the ACLU (aclu.org).