1913
2017
Mary Jorgensen Sisson, 103, of Bluff Point, NY, made her journey to the Lord peacefully on February 15, 2017 with her family by her side.
Mary was born in Benton Center on November 10, 1913 and was a lifelong resident of Yates County. She spent all of her life in the Penn Yan area living in various places where her father and mother (Wemple Phalen and Winifred Hunt Phalen) farmed. The last home that Mary resided in as a teenager was called the Hartshorn place, now known as the Merritt Hill Manor Bed and Breakfast on Coates Road. Mary attended Penn Yan Academy after which she married A. Leland Jorgensen, who happened to live just down the road from her. Leland also graduated from Penn Yan Academy. They were married on Mary's birthday November 10, 1931.
While raising their family of four, Mary was very active with many neighbors and friends. She belonged to "The Bluffers" and "Home Bureau", familiar organizations in the Bluff Point area. She also belonged to the Bluff Point United Methodist Church where she was a member of the choir. She was passionate about her family. She centered her life around them and her love of horses. Her last horse lived to be 34 and died when Mary was 96.
In 1988 Mary met and married Kenneth Sisson, a local realtor from the Penn Yan area and became a part of his family.
Mary is survived by three of her four children, Shirley A. Roe (Paul), Richard W. Jorgensen (Mary Lou), Marilee Bailey (Daniel), daughter in law Frances Jorgensen, a stepson Kenneth Sisson (Jan) and step daughter Suzanne Griffis. Also surviving her are her grandchildren Jackie Wilcox (Timothy), Jason Jorgensen ( Amy), Jennifer Riedinger (Thomas), Paul Simmons, Farrell Simmons (Shelly), James D. Simmons (Sue), Tammy Zona, Steven Roe (Lillian), Joy O'Byrne, grandson in law Don Janney, Garth Jorgensen, Todd Jorgensen (Michelle), Molly Wilder, Kristen Ambrosetti (Joseph) her step grandchildren Sherree Hoover (Eric), Barry Sisson (Pamela), Aron Griffis (Amy), Andrew Griffis (Cristin), Abigail Neilson (Daniel), Adam Griffis, Jennifer Costello (Paul), Carrie DePaola (Joseph) and Amy Bell (Ross). Her only remaining sister is E. Daisy Sorensen. Mary is also survived by many great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and her dear friend and neighbor, Jean Carroll. Mary was predeceased by Leland Jorgensen and Kenneth Sisson, Ronald Jorgensen (son), Lance Fullagar (son in law), Amy Janney (granddaughter) and her sisters Eleanor Clark (Milton) and Josephine Roe (Leon).
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Humane Society of Yates County or the Bluff Point United Methodist Church. The family of Mary Sisson wishes to thank Dr.Taryn Draxler and everyone at Clinton Crest Manor, Penn Yan Manor Nursing
Home and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital for the loving care they gave Mary.
Friends and family may call from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 29th, 2017 at the Bluff Point United Methodist Church, where a memorial service will be held following at 12:00 noon.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home.
2 Entries
April 29, 2017
Crystal Gurney
I apologize that I wasn't able to make it today, but please accept my condolences and respect on behalf of not only myself, but also my mother Janice Lavell Gurney and my grandmother Marion Sisson Lavell Sargent.
My thoughts are with you all during this time.
-Crystal
March 6, 2017
Beverly Seaton
Condolences to the family from Beverly (Gettings) Seaton in Ohio! I have fond memories of listening to scary radio programs with Ron and Shirley during the late forties when we lived with Aunt Helen at Bluff Point. Throughout my over 50 years of running my own household I have remembered Mary's cheerful invitation to get those dishes dried right now, then it will be done. Procrastination is never comfortable. This 82 year old widow still tries to live by that notion. Not that I have converted my son to that belief yet.... Affectionately, Beverly
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