Obituary of Norma Jean Sisco

Norma Jean Sisco (nee Reed), 81, of Rimrock, Arizona faded away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 24, 2019.  She was born in Carnegie, Oklahoma on April 14, 1937 to the late Martin and Melva Walton Reed. Her mother later remarried to Earl Stanley McGuire and took his last name as hers. When Norma was 31 years old she married Burton A. Sisco and for nearly 51 years they had many adventures living in California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Then after the passing of her sister, she insisted they return to Scottsdale, Arizona so she could help care for her nieces and nephew. Trips to Wyoming were soon required to escape the harsh Arizona summers. There she reveled in gathering, processing, and creating culinary masterpieces with her favorite Bolete mushrooms. The later retirement years were spent in the cooler climate of Rimrock, AZ. Prior to meeting her husband, she worked in progressively important positions at Valley National Bank and General Electric where she served as office manger and secretary to a department manager. Norma had many interests such as gardening, puzzling, collecting native and Asian art, and listening to the classical composers. She was an avid reader with a hunger for knowledge on  a myriad of subjects. A  talented writer, much like the syndicated columnist Erma Bombeck; the difference is Norma never profited monetarily from her exceptional gift. Although she experienced plenty of hardship in her life, she was a cheerful and optimistic person with unusual wit and a dry sense-of-humor. Most importantly, Norma was a beautiful person inside and out with a beautiful soul. She was also an amazing mother and grandmother as well as wife. Everyone who met her loved her and she has a very special place in everyone's heart. We are all very blessed to have her in our lives.

            She is survived by her husband, Burton A. Sisco and step-children, Burton R. Sisco and wife Ellen, David B. Sisco and wife Dolores, Tod K. Sisco and wife Ann, and Elizabeth Tolmie and husband, Bernie, and daughter-in-law Margie Wheeler Sisco.  Also survived by her brother in-law Robert K. Sisco and sister in-law Lorraine “Mike” Sisco, sisters Donna Reed Ingle and Debbie Reed, nieces Kathi and Meghan Brennan, Jaymi Noviello O'Hanlon and Alissa Reed, grandchildren Jessica Sisco, Laura Beth Sisco, Kelly Ann Sisco, Geoffrey Sisco, Brent Sisco, Jacob Sisco, Brian Sisco, and Daniel Sisco.  Also grandniece Brianna Nadarajah and grandnephew Liam Marsh, and her three great-grandchildren, Stanely, Xavier, and Jasper.  She is preceded in death by her parents and step-father, sister Barbara Ann Brennan and brother in law, John Brennan, and two nephews, Terry and Patrick.  She also is preceded in death by her cherished poodles Count and Casper, and Chad.

            Celebration of Life services will be held at a later date with location to be announced. In lieu of flowers and condolences, the family wishes contributions be made in Norma's honor to a charity of choice. As an alternative, condolences may be shared via Bueler Funeral Home, Camp Verde, AZ at www.buelerfuneralhome.com.