Susanna and Timothy Sickinger Redding, Conn.

Susanna Gay Gibson Sickinger, daughter of the late Frank and Mildred Gibson of Osceola, died December 7 in Redding, Conn. Timothy John Sickinger, her husband of 55 years, died two days later.

Susie’s life took her around the world, but her heart never strayed from her hometown. Born Feb 24, 1938, she grew up on her family’s farm in Osceola, graduated second in her class at Osceola High School and went on to graduate summa cum laude at the University of Iowa in 1960 with a B.A. in general science. 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 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 in Osceola during their senior year of college and began marriage in a small apartment in Iowa City. Their life journey spanned 14 moves, with lengthy stays in Connecticut; London, England; Omaha, and Vero Beach, Florida.

Susie was a fiercely loving mother, a beautiful homemaker, an extraordinary cook and entertainer, a church deacon, an avid gardener, and an excellent tour guide for friends and family, whether in Osceola, London, or Omaha. Her work ethic, 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 spent 20 years at Ogilvy & Mather in Chicago, New York and London, managing accounts such as American Express, Sears, Smith Barney, Mattel and TWA. He left Ogilvy as a senior vice president, and spent the next decade as a founding partner and general manager of Bozell Worldwide in Omaha, where he retired as an executive vice president. He was a gifted communicator, mentored countless aspirants in the ad business, and gave his time and abilities to many worthy causes.

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 amazing friends.

They are survived by their sons, Timothy Sickinger of Darien, Conn., and Ted Sickinger of Portland, Ore; their daughters in law, Tamsin Sickinger and Susi Steinmann; and their five grandchildren, Abigail, Benjamin, Maximilian, Kerwin and Leila. Other survivors 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 pre-deceased by his brother Tim Tousey.

A celebration of their lives will be held Jan. 10 at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, Conn. According to her wishes, Susie will be buried with her mother and father in Osceola. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com