Norma D. Sisson, Died October 20, 2018

                       

Norma Dale Buchanan Sisson

Died October 20, 2018

Surrounded by her loving family, Norma Dale Buchanan Sisson passed away peacefully in Northport, Michigan on October 20, 2018. She was 93 years old. 

Norma was born in Mamaroneck, New York on May 18,1925 to Marion Addington (Hutchings) and Norman Arlington Buchanan who immigrated from Nova Scotia. She grew up in a loving household in challenging times. She learned responsibility at an early age and helped raise her brother Bruce who was born when she was 11 years old. She met her husband, Dale Rufus Sisson, in Potsdam, NY where Norma graduated from the State Teachers College. They were married in Larchmont, NY in September 1947 and spent nearly 65 years together until Dale’s death in 2012. Starting their life in Manhattan, NY, they moved to Rye, NY for a brief period and eventually settled in Stamford, CT where they raised their family of 4 children and lived for 39 years.

Norma was active in the community and politics serving as president of a number of organizations, teacher in her church’s Sunday school and leader in the Girl Scouts.

In 1965 she became an elementary school teacher for the Stamford Public School system. She found her passion in helping children with special needs and during a sabbatical went on to earn her masters in Special Education. Upon returning, she nurtured and enriched her students’ lives as a Special Education teacher until she retired in 1985. Throughout her life, she offered compassion and advice to children in need and, at times, even a place to live.

Through the years, Norma and Dale loved to travel, attend Dartmouth College reunions, and spend time in Sedona, AZ. They always found time to visit family and friends along the way. In 1994, Norma and Dale retired to the family’s summer retreat in Northport Point, MI and made it their full-time residence. Her insistence on building a beautiful addition to the family cottage created space for her growing family and allowed them to experience the beauty of Northport Point. Known to all as “Gammer”, she developed loving relationships with Pointers of all generations. Her willingness to share her passions of gardening, knitting, sewing, baking and cooking contributed to many traditions and memories through the years. Above all else, she cherished her summers with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Norma is survived by her children Dale Sisson Lersch (Sean Cronin) of West Hartford, CT; Roxana Sisson Wieland (P. Andrew) of Northport Point, MI; Rufus Lasher Sisson II (Judy) of Chesterfield, MO and Abigail Sisson Olsen (Norman) of Bethel, CT as well as 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband Dale Rufus Sisson and her brother Bruce Murdoch Buchanan. 

Family and friends will celebrate her rich life at a memorial service at Northport Point next summer.

The family suggests that gifts in Norma's memory be sent to the Atwill Memorial Chapel Association, 105 N. Northcott Drive, Northport, MI 49670. 

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