Maureen “Sissy” Elizabeth Morrison passed away peacefully at home on May 9, 2026. She was born January 26,1943, in Hutchinson, KS to Jack and Nathalie Maloney. Her fortitude, character, work ethic and homemaking skills were honed growing up on the family farm in rural Hutchinson. As soon as she could see over the counter, she joined her mother in the kitchen cooking for the family and farm hands. At 9 years of age, she began driving an Army surplus Jeep to herd cattle. A few years later, she was driving a 1937 wheat truck to the grain elevators. As a teenager, she wore her bikini to work on her suntan while she drove a tractor and continued to help her father and brothers in the field and her mother in the kitchen during summers throughout college.
Her education began in a one-room schoolhouse in Castleton, KS, at age 4. She graduated from Haven High School and attended Wichita State University for one year where she was a cheerleader. She completed her degree in Education at the University of Kansas where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. While at KU, her beauty and her long, swishing ponytail caught the eye of her beloved future husband Roger. Upon graduation, she taught kindergarten in Kansas City for one year. In1965, she and Roger married and moved to Salina to begin their life together. They immediately started their family and had four children in four years and five days. She loved her life as a stay-at-home mother and her tireless devotion, creativity and unwavering support will be forever cherished by her children. She had the gift of making holidays magical for her family. In an ode to her proud Irish heritage, on St. Patrick’s Day, she played leprechaun pranks on her children, made green shamrock pancakes, planted potatoes and made a delicious corned beef and cabbage feast. She extended her mothering to so many others as her door and kitchen were always open to anyone who entered. She will be remembered for the countless meals, pancakes, Dutch babies, French toast, grilled cheeses, milkshakes, pies and cookies she made with love over the years. Her mothering was also extended to the family’s menagerie of pets and countless strays that she brought into her home, nurtured and loved. She treasured her role as Nana to her nine grandchildren. She was deeply devoted to and involved in their lives. They will cherish her back tickles, cousin sleepovers on her bedroom floor, 6th grade graduation trips of their choice, holiday baking, her visits to their colleges and their adult friendships with her. Her love, devotion and example will remain indelible in their hearts.
She and Roger were blessed with nearly 61 years of sacred marriage. Roger remembers Sissy’s unwavering support and understanding of the time spent away from home working in the family business and as well as her encouragement of the pursuit of his car hobby. While their children were living in the home, they prioritized family vacations to create invaluable memories, to open their eyes to the broader world and to give them an appreciation for other cultures. Later in life, it was through Roger’s car hobby that they were
fortunate to travel the world together in his vintage cars and make meaningful friendships around the globe.
Service and generosity were integral in her character and values. Over the years, she devoted time and energy to DVACK, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Rebecca A. Morrison House, Rolling Hills Refuge, Salina Charities League and United Way. In addition, her life was fulfilled by beautiful friendships and her involvement in P.E.O., gourmet group, community theater dinner group and afternoons playing bridge and mah-jongg. A remarkable example of her thoughtfulness was the over 250 birthday cards she sent annually addressed in her elegant penmanship for many years.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Michael Maloney. She is survived by her adoring husband, Roger, the most steadfast, loving caregiver in her challenging last few years, and by her brother Patrick (Carole) Maloney, and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sallie & Richard Morrison. Her legacy lives on in her children Amy (Mark) Dobbins, Aaron Morrison, Molly Britt, Megan (Michael) Grossman; her chosen sons Londale Richardson and Edgar Richardson; her cherished grandchildren Connor and Graham (Jaclin) Dobbins; Lucas, Gabe and Eli Snyder; Cole, Maura Kate, Meryl Mitchelson, and Greta Grossman; and her dear nieces and nephews.
Our family will be forever grateful for the dedicated, loving care provided by Koral Long and for the joy her baby Jacalyn brought Sissy in her final months.
Sissy curated a sanctuary of love and home not only for her family, but also for the flowers, plants, birds and animals in her enchanting backyard, her friends and neighbors, and the many kind souls whose hearts she touched along her life’s journey. She was simply extraordinary.
Sissy’s celebration of life will include a memorial service June 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Eighth St., Salina, KS, followed by a reception at the Salina Country Club, 2101 E. Country Club Rd., Salina, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcome memorials to Women Helping Women, click here to donate online, c/o GSCF, P.O. Box 2876, Salina, KS 67402 or Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas, click here to donate online, 148 N. Oakdale, Salina, KS 67401.