Helen Marie Sisson

A beautiful lady decided she wanted to go home today. Helen Marie Sisson Patey, our wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend passed away today in the embrace of her loving family. August 6, 2018, Orem, Utah. She was born Helen Marie Holcomb, August 15, 1936, in Dalton, Georgia, to James Lewis “Buster” and Mary Evans Holcomb.

Marie grew up in Dalton where she also attended school. At the ripe old age of 17 she met her soon to be husband, a young soldier by the name of Henry L. “Hank” Sisson. After their first meeting in her father’s diner, where she fed him a BLT, he would often recall, “even the lettuce was burned”. They decided they were meant to be together and were married September 1, 1953, in Dalton, GA, and blessed with five children.

Despite her ‘shaky’ start in the kitchen, cooking has been one of Mom’s most enjoyable and successful pastimes. Even when she had spent the entire day preparing in the kitchen, you could watch the twinkle in her eyes and the smile roll across her face at the sight of full bellies and happy taste buds. Ah, the biscuits and southern cornbread…

Marie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and enjoyed the opportunity of serving in the temple. Some of her favorite pastimes included crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, family history and sewing. She loved music and merriment. Talented in so many ways, she even finished sewing herself a new dress a day ago.

After 44 years together, Hank preceded Marie in death November 23, 1997. She later married Robert “Bob” Patey and together they have enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends in Oregon, Utah and Canada.

When you stop to think about what Marie will truly be remembered for, it has to be her genuine love for people. Her motto was, “If you ain’t at home you oughtta’ be”. She was “Grandma” or “Aunt Marie” to whomever stopped long enough for her to give a hug and tell them she loved them. And, you never forget that feeling.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Patey; five children: Steve (Adelphia), Van (Amelia), Susan (Boyd) Alleman, Brian (Amber), and Rhett; 12 grand, 24 great-grand and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She is also, survived by brother, Lewis (Jeannette) Holcomb; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends (who were her family as well). She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Sisson; both parents; brother, Gary Holcomb; and sister, Sharon Wilkerson.

A visitation will be on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 AM prior to the services at the LDS Church.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 11, 2018 – 11:00 AM in the American Fork 30th LDS Ward, 270 N 900 E, American Fork, UT.
Interment services will be Tuesday, August 14th 9:30 AM in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.