Irma Palme Sisson, 100, of Mill River-Great Barrington Road in Mill River passed away Sept. 6, 2018, at her home. Born Dec. 26, 1917, in Pittsfield, she was the daughter of Arthur and Edith (MaDan) Palme. She was educated in local schools, graduating from Pittsfield High School in 1936 and Columbia School of Business in New York City.
Irma was employed at the General Electric Company for several years before joining the American Red Cross. She served during World War II at its national headquarters in Washington, D.C., and later at its Pacific area office in San Francisco, California. While in Washington, D.C., she served as a nurse’s aide at Walter Reid Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, caring for the World War II wounded.
After she returned to Pittsfield, she worked in marketing research in the General Electric chemical division until her marriage in 1954 to William Giegold, who later became a professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. They had two children: Martha and Carl Giegold. William died in 1992. In 2005 Irma married Lt. Col. John D. Sisson, a lifelong friend, and took up residence in Mill River at the Sisson Homestead. Irma volunteered for the Red Cross for more than 65 years and was also active in the Hancock Shaker Village quilting group as well as the South Congregational Church quilting group. A life well-lived.
She is survived by her husband of 13 years, Lt. Col. John D. Sisson; her daughter Martha Giegold; her son Carl Giegold; and two grandchildren: Madeline and Jeffery Giegold; as well as John’s children Joan, Pam and Jay. Along with her first husband, William Giegold, she was also predeceased by two sisters: Erica Winn and Evelyn Provost.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Irma Palme Sisson will be held Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at 1 p.m. at Old Parish Church in Sheffield, conducted by Rev. Jill Graham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross (Western Mass) or the First Congregational Church in Sheffield (Old Parish Church) c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230, which is caring for the arrangements. To send remembrances to the family, visit http://www.finnertyandstevens.com.
