Rita Joan Sisson

life story

Rita Sisson - Loving Mom, Doting Nana, Devoted Wife, Caring Friend, Cuddler of Cats, Eternal Optimist

"Someday, when we've all found a shelter from the storm, when we've all found a haven, safe and warm, then I know time will find us together again...."'Til then"...is a phrase that keeps your memory green, it anticipates some future scene, where we once again will share the joy that you bring, dear sweet you... we will sing, we will dance, we will have a new chance, so we'll wait 'til then...."

(from a song lyric by Jay Sisson and daughter Trish)

About Rita Joan Sisson

Rita Joan Sisson, peacefully passed from this world on Mother’s Day, May 9, 2021, into the arms of her beloved son,Tom and husband Jay, With compassionate care by hospice professionals Angela, Pa, Hannah, and loving guidance from nurse Natalie, “Sweet Reet” died with dignity in her own home with daughter Trish & family friend Kristine Reigel at her side.

Rita was born in Dublin Ireland, and immigrated as an infant with her parents and older brother to New York. As a child she sang in school plays and was a competitive swimmer. Her family knew financial hardship and at 17 Rita quit school to work full time and help support the household. Her love and devotion to family came first, always.

Rita married the love of her life, John Earl “Jay” Sisson in 1959. Her husband and their children, Trish & Tom were everything to her. She left the workforce to be a full-time mother when the kids were young, in the summers driving them and their friends 3 or 4 days a week out to Long Beach to frolic in the surf and teaching Trish & Tom to swim, with Jay joining in the fun on the weekends. She returned to work when the kids were in grade school. When Trish was in high school, discovering her path as a performing artist, Rita was an asset to the music and theatre departments, creating flyers and writing blurbs for the local papers to promote performances, while Jay wrote scripts for original ensemble shows. When Tom played football in high school, the family never missed a game, cheering him on and carrying signs Rita made with Tom’s jersey number. Both kids went on to become professional entertainers with their parents in attendance at countless performances throughout the decades. Rita and Jay were their children’s biggest fans and greatest advocates.

Both Rita and Jay were proud progressives, passionate about disrupting racism and speaking out for the oppressed and marginalized members of society. They taught their children to love all people, to celebrate diversity and to advocate for those who struggle. Homelessness, poverty, racism, animal welfare, equal protection under the law, nuclear proliferation, global warming….these were among the many issues regularly discussed at the family kitchen table. The family home was a refuge for stray cats that became beloved family members. Dinner guests often included people of all ages suffering with addiction, mental illness, joblessness and loneliness.

Rita worked as an executive secretary and administrative assistant. Her organizational skills, talent as a wordsmith and the confidence with which she carried herself made her a valuable asset to companies ranging from the Sunshine Biscuit Company, hotels & resorts, regional medical centers and finally television. She spent several years working for the producer of the Nightly Business Report and finally as assistant to the executive director of WPBT Channel 2 in South Florida. Shortly after her husband’s death from cancer, she retired and moved to Minnesota to be the best Nana in the world to grandson Jay Soulen, named after his grandaddy. She joined Talespinners, a writer’s group for seniors at the Minnetonka Civic Center where she truly found her voice, producing a large collection of entertaining short stories, both fiction and memoirs which have brought readers to both tears and fits of laughter.

After her son’s untimely and tragic death in 2013, Rita found comfort in the friendships she made in Talespinners and time spent with her daughter and grandson, especially the thrill and pride in watching young Jay’s talent on the musical theatre stage.

Rita's dear friend from Miami, Florida, Opal Comfort wrote: Rita’s family meant the world to her and so did the truth. She was a staunch advocate for justice and "telling it like it is." She was a white person who saw the racism that was ubiquitous in the 80s and expressed it to some of us of color. Rita Sisson taught me being a strong woman meant taking risks, speaking out and giving voice to the voiceless. She also made the best Irish soda bread you ever tasted. The family home was often packed with audiences, listening attentively, while her children dazzled them with tunes and Rita entertained with homemade delicacies. Wow, could she cook! Thank you Rita, for exemplifying authenticity and all that is good in God's world. Thank you for having the soul of a humanitarian whose love for humankind was limitless. I envision you and Jay dancing while Tom is crooning away.”

memorial service

Catholic Mass and Memorial Luncheon for Rita Sisson

July 14, 2021

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 13505 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345, USA

10am - gathering, visitation

11am - Mass

Lunch immediately following in the social hall at the church

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services