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IN LOVING MEMORY |
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Sue
Ellen Parrott, age 80, formerly of Potomac, MD, died peacefully on
October 16th, 2020 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
Daughter of Fred and Josephine (Deal) Parrott, Sue Ellen was born in
Little Rock, AR, on September 13th, 1940. Sue Ellen lived a fortunate
and meaningful life defined by her passion for the arts and
intellectual pursuits, commitment to service, and limitless love and
devotion to friends and family. Sue Ellen and her younger
brother, Fred Parrott Jr., shared many happy times with loving parents
and extended family in Arkansas. From an early age, Sue Ellen proved
herself to be an exceptional student with a particular interest in the
arts. She attended Little Rock Central High and was a senior during
the historic integration of the “Little Rock Nine.” Bearing
witness to the racism and division in her community inspired her to
speak out against injustice and celebrate diversity throughout her
life. As an outstanding student, she was awarded a Seven Sisters full
scholarship to Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA. This prestigious
scholarship transformed her life. She flourished in the intellectual
community of Wellesley, where she excelled academically and built
enduring friendships.After graduation, she moved to Cambridge, MA, and
worked at the Charles Playhouse. It was in Cambridge that she met her
former husband, Marcus Sisk, while he was attending Harvard Law
School. The couple married in 1964. They lived and worked initially in
Washington, DC, and then in American Samoa, where they grew to love
the Samoan people. After traveling extensively in the South Pacific,
Asia, and Europe, the couple returned to Washington, DC, where Sue
Ellen worked for Sargent Shriver at the Office of Economic
Opportunity. The couple later moved to Potomac, MD. Sue Ellen
devoted herself fully to raising her two daughters, Mary Jo and Erin.
She provided constant love and support, and gave her children the best
educational and cultural opportunities available. At the same time,
she prioritized giving back to her community. She volunteered in her
daughters’ schools and in the Washington Wellesley Club. She was
active in the Washington Wellesley Club for many years, serving in
various roles, including president, and raising scholarship funds for
deserving Wellesley students from the DC area.She enjoyed painting,
collecting sea shells, and exploring art museums. In the warmer
months, she was often in her yard, tending to flowers, herbs, and
vegetables which she loved to share with her neighbors. She adored the
family cats, and animals in general. She read the newspaper from cover
to cover daily. She took a genuine interest in people from all walks
of life. After her children left for college, Sue Ellen pursued
politics professionally, first as the office manager for the League of
Women Voters, Montgomery County chapter, then as administrator at the
Trilateral Commission. At the commission, she particularly enjoyed
working with her intellectually curious colleagues and traveling the
globe for conferences. Sue Ellen and Marc divorced, and she fully
embraced life on her own terms. She moved into a beautiful new home in
Potomac filled with the art she collected from her world travels. She
enjoyed frequent visits with her friends and daughters, and
volunteered at the National Zoo.After more than 40 years of living in
the Washington area, Sue Ellen spent her retirement in the Boston area
to be near her daughters and grandchildren. In her final years of
life, she lived at Goddard House in Brookline, MA and Newbridge on the
Charles in Dedham, MA. In spite of the challenges of living with
Parkinson’s disease, she never lost her warm personality or her
ability to connect meaningfully with the people around her. She was an
inspiration and a source of great joy to her children and
grandchildren. She is survived by her devoted daughters and
sons-in-law: Mary Jo Sisk and David Grossman of Newton; Erin and Jared
Hawkins of Westwood; and her beloved grandchildren: Will, Carina,
Luke, and Michaela Grossman; Owen and Aria Hawkins. She was a loving
sister to her late brother Fred and sister-in-law Norma Parrott, as
well as a caring aunt to her niece, Michelle Parrott. She was loved
deeply by her family and many friends who will miss her dearly. Due
to the current health crisis, funeral services are private. In lieu of
flowers, remembrances may be made to the Wellesley College Scholarship
Fund |
