Sylvia Cissna

Sylvia Cissna (maiden name Watt), age 83, of Overland Park, KS passed away on May 23, 2020.  Sylvia was a tough lady who fought to beat the Coronavirus.  She initially cleared the virus (testing negative twice) but in the end it proved to be too much for her body.  She is survived by her husband of 59 years Dale Cissna.  She is also survived by her brother David Watt who resides in Seattle with his family, her oldest son Duff Cissna and his wife who reside in Kansas City, and her son Scott Cissna who resides in Denver with his family including her two grandsons Sebastian and Karsten.

Sylvia was a teacher in Grand Island, Nebraska when she met her husband Dale at a dance at the Air Force Base in Lincoln.   They married and moved to Kansas City (Overland Park) when Dale took a job with Black and Veatch where he spent his entire career.

Sylvia’s first love was teaching first grade.   She taught for more than 40 years in the Shawnee Mission School District and in the Kansas City Missouri School District.  Throughout her career she impacted many lives and would often run into her students for a warm reunion.

Square dancing was Sylvia’s biggest hobby followed by enjoyment of music.   As a child Sylvia won third place in a national square dance competition.  She and Dale danced regularly and were part of several local square dance clubs where they enjoyed community and friendship especially in their golden years.

As a child Sylvia moved a bit as her father had his PhD in biology and the family relocated a few times as he took teaching positions in Nebraska, Kansas, and Utah.   However, her father’s first love was ranching, so Sylvia called Sheridan, Wyoming home and identified as a rancher’s daughter.   This was the foundation of her love for music and in her last few years would light up at the opportunity to sing along with “goldy-oldies” and country music.

Sylvia cherished all children and during this current changing/challenging world would want to do something to support them.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Covenant house who is helping feed kids during this crisis at Coronavirus Emergency Meals | Covenant House.

https://www.covenanthouse.org/coronavirus-emergency-meals??sourceid=2460436&origin=DHQEI2009E3I0A&msclkid=02ab57e7aaf91e4fa32e0932b09c2442