Marian A. Hitch's Obituary
Marian A. Hitch passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on Friday, April 24, in Dover, Delaware. She was born on March 28, 1935, in New York City to the late Samuel and Ruth (Lincer) Howie.
Marian graduated from Clarke University (aka Clarke College) in Dubuque Iowa, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies. She continued her education throughout the years taking classes at Ohio University, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical & Community College.
Marian served as Director of Admissions at Clarke University; managed the Reference Library for the Bureau of Labor and Management at the University of Iowa; taught at schools in Iowa, Ohio, North Carolina, and Delaware; and worked for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources for ten years retiring as a Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist.
Marian was a constant volunteer at her sons’ schools and with their various sports. She spent ten years teaching swimming for the Red Cross, establishing water safety programs, and conducting swim classes at Warner Robins AFB in Georgia, McGuire AFB in New Jersey, and Dover AFB in Delaware. She also spent many years working as a volunteer with the YMCA swimming team.
Marian was always actively involved in her church wherever she lived. She taught CCD (children’s religion) classes for over twenty years. She was a member of Holy Cross Church where she served as the compliance officer for the For Sake of God’s Children program for over five years and as an Extra Ordinary Minster of the Eucharist.
Marian’s greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her dearly loved granddaughter Rachel. She enjoyed reading, golf and playing duplicate bridge.
Marian is survived by her son Stephen M. Sisson and his wife Victoria of Frederica, Delaware; son John T. Sisson and his wife Carol of Lewes, Delaware; beloved granddaughter Rachel Sisson of Rochester, New York.
Marian was preceded in death by her parents Samuel and Ruth Howie, brother Dr. Milham “Bill” Howie, brother George Howie, second husband Ward T. Hitch, and first husband Lt. Col Robert L. Sisson (USAF Ret).
Family and friends may visit on Sunday, May 3, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus Street, Dover. A Catholic mass will be held on Monday, May 4, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover, with burial following at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Holy Cross Church in Dover or Delaware Hospice.
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