Obituary of Susanna Gay Sickinger

Susie and Tim Sickinger's love affair began at the University of Iowa and spanned 55 years. They died within two days of one another in Redding, Conn., Susie on December 7 and Tim on December 9. Susanna Gay Gibson Sickinger, the daughter of Frank and Mildred Gibson, was born Feb. 24, 1938 and grew up on her family's farm in Osceola, Iowa. She attended a one-room schoolhouse until eighth grade, and graduated second in her class at Osceola High School. She went on to graduate summa cum laude at the University of Iowa with a B.A. in general sceince. She was a sister in Kappa Kappa Gamma and a member in Phi Beta Kappa. Timothy John Sickinger, the son of Kenneth and Virginia Sickinger, was born Aug. 10, 1938 in Evanston Illinois. He was co-captain of the football team at Glenbrook North High School and also attended the University of Iowa. He graduated in 1960 with a B.A. in Journalism. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. They were wed their senior year of college in Susie's hometown and began marriage in a small apartment in Iowa City. Their life journey spanned 14 moves, with lengthy stays in Darien, London, Omaha, and Vero Beach. Susie was a fiercely loving mother, a beautiful homemaker, an excellent cook, an entertainer, a church deacon, a master gardener, a pianist, and an excellent tour guide for friends and family, whether in London, Paris or Omaha. Her feisty intellect and humor were trademarks, and her untiring advocacy for her husband and two sons became her life's mission. Tim was the consummate Madison Avenue ad man. He was a supreme communicator. He loved people, fine clothing and martini lunches. He mentored countless aspirants in the ad business, and gave his time and considerable abilities to many worthy causes. He spent 20 years at Ogilvy & Mather, managing accounts such as American Express, Sears, Smith Barney, Mattel and TWA. He finished as a senior vice president at Ogilvy, and capped his career as an executive vice president, partner and general manager at Bozell Worldwide. Tim and Susie travelled the world. They were avid sailors, singers, fishers, curlers and golfers. Above all, they cherished their two sons, their five grandchildren, their loving families and a world full of excellent friends. They are survived by their sons, Timothy Sickinger of Darien and Ted Sickinger of Portland, Oregon; their daughters in law, Tamsin Sickinger and Susi Steinmann; and their five grandchildren, Abigail, Benjamin, Maximilian, Kerwin and Leila. Other survirors include Susie's sister and brother, Sally Bowman and Dan Gibson; Tim's three siblings, Gayle Maffeo, Kendall Rojas and Mike Tousey, along with 13 nephews and nieces. Tim was predeceased by his brother Tim Tousey. A celebration of their lives will be held Jan. 10, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road, Darien. Memorial contributions can be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820