Mamie C. Sisson was born November 16, 1925 in La Junta, CO to M.B. “Cotton” Chase and Verdie (Standley) Chase. She was raised by Cotton and his second wife Lois (Roberts) Chase. Mamie passed away April 26th, 2013 at Gunnison Valley Health Senior Care Center, Gunnison, Colorado with her family by her side.
Mamie attended La Junta schools graduating from La Junta High School in 1943. She was the Senior Class Valedictorian and accepted a full scholarship to the University of Colorado, Boulder. In 1947, Mamie graduated with a degree in Accounting. While at CU, she was on the Mortar Board, Phi Beta Kappa, a Scholarship Fellow, President of the Panhellenic Society, Delta Delta Delta Sorority and received the Pacesetter award given by the Daily Camera (UniVA).
After graduating from CU, Mamie returned to La Junta to work for her father’s accounting firm, Chase Business Systems. On May 15, 1948, Mamie and William R. Sisson, MD were married. They spent a marvelous and adventurous 63 years together until his death, February 14th, 2012.
Following their wedding, Mamie and Bill moved to New Britain, CT where she worked at New Britain General until their first son, Thomas W. Sisson II was born. When Tom was six months old, Mamie and Bill decided to move back to La Junta to raise their family which quickly grew with the birth of six more children.
Mamie and Bill lived in La Junta for the next 25 years. During those busy years, Mamie was very active in St. Patrick’s Church and School, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and School, PEO Chapter DQ and the Hospital Auxiliary. She also worked in Bill’s Medical Office.
Mamie, Bill and their family made several trips to St. Lucia where everyone volunteered their talents and time at St. Jude Hospital. Mamie organized sewing and making crafts for the Hospital Bazaar, volunteered in the hospital office and wherever else her talents were needed.
In 1975, Bill and Mamie, with their two youngest children, moved to Frankfurt, Germany. Mamie was active in the Officer’s Wives Club, Catholic Women of the Chapel, and the German/American Club. She learned to drive on the Autobahn and took German language lessons which undoubtedly helped her translate the voluminous German passenger train schedule she relied upon.
Four years later, Mamie’s adventurous spirit was ready for a move to Jacksonville, AR, followed by several years in San Antonio, TX. After Bill’s retirement, the two spent 14 years in Albuquerque, NM, where she was an active member of PEO Chapter AU and the Oasis Club at Foleys. Mamie was an active member of Risen Savior Catholic Church, where she founded a group of women called, Sew N Sewers. The group collected fabric, patterns, notions and used sewing machines. Members would pick up the donated items to make new clothing for the children at Barrett House.
Mamie and Bill loved to dance and belonged to several square and round dance clubs in Arkansas and Texas.
In 2008, Mamie and Bill moved to Gunnison to be near their daughters, Teresa Rijks and Donna Rozman.
Mamie was preceded in death by her husband of 63 yrs. William R. Sisson MD, her parents, Lois and Cotton Chase. One brother, Don Chase, brother-in-law Ralph Mahoney, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Tom and Margaret Sisson, two nephews, Don Mahoney and John Sisson.
She is survived by her seven children, Thomas W. (Patricia Osbaldiston) Sisson II of Dallas, TX; Teresa (Jos) Rijks of Crested Butte, CO; Diana (Sam) Peacock of Helendale, CA; Donna (Richard) Rozman of Crested Butte, CO; Linda Trifone of Jackson, MS; Laura (Glenn) Decker of Wethersfield, CT; and Robert (Stephanie) Sisson of Albuquerque, NM
Grandchildren, Thomas W. Sisson III and Sophie Sisson; Peter, Mamie, Annie and Diana Rijks; Jenny (Eric) Sova, Matthew Peacock, Mark (Tracee) Peacock, Jane (Rob) Pizem, Clay Peacock; William and Thomas Rozman; Alexandra (Matt) Lunde, Nathan and Mark Trifone; Kelly Decker; Ryan (Emily) Sisson and Ashley Sisson; and six great grandchildren. Sister, Robin Mahoney of Hopkinsville, KY and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation Senior Care Center Building Fund (GVH Foundation SCC Bldg Fund), 1500 W. Tomichi, Gunnison, CO 81230 or the Charity of Choice.
Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be Thursday, May 2, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be Friday, May 3, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. with Deacon Allan Medina officiating at Peacock Memorial Chapel. The family will be present to receive visitors on Friday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel.
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