Lydiann Cissner

Lydiann (McHenry Hoffman) [Carlson] Cissner, 80, born to Glen and Alice McHenry, died peaceful Wednesday night in Westerville, Ohio, after an accident resulting in a broken hip and back. Growing up, Lydia and several other deaf children commuted daily for miles to attend Kennedy School for the Deaf in Dayton, Ohio.  Little did she know that during those daily travels she was sitting beside her future husband! Her stepfather, Hugh Hoffman, came into her life and relocated the family to Dayton, Ohio before moving to sunny Miami, Florida. There she worked as a bookkeeper and later married her first husband, Donald B. Carlson on August 12, 1962 and together raised three sons.  After many years as a widow, her childhood classmate, Charles Robert “Bob’ Cissner located her, via social media, and found her alive and doing well in New Mexico.  After a brief but fond relationship, they married in 2008. Lydia loved walking, doing word search puzzles, latch kit rug and wall hanging projects and discussing the weather. She was currently attending the Holy Cross Lutheran Deaf Church in Columbus, Ohio. One of her many accomplishments was living in America West for 9 years. She was a former Board Member of the New Mexico Relay Service.  She was secretary and then elected as  President of Deaf Senior Metro in Albuquerque, New Mexico by popular vote.  She championed the rights of Deaf citizens, especially with children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Lydia will be greatly missed by family and friends.  She leaves behind her three sons: D. Ricky Carlson, his wife Roxanne and their son Ryker, Jeff R. Carlson, and Mark E. Carlson and his sons Cody and Caiden; two siblings, sister Mary Burton of Idaho and brother Butch Hoffman of South Carolina and many nieces and nephews and her close and dear friend, Denise Garland, whom she fondly called “niece.” Lydia was preceded in death by her first and second husbands, Donald Carlson and Robert “Bob” Cissner, respectfully. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 29 at Hale Sarver Funeral Home in West Milton, Ohio.  Immediately following the service, a luncheon will be served at The Hale House, across from the funeral home. Everyone is welcome to join the family and share fond memories of this active and courageous woman. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Deaf Church in Columbus, Ohio in memory of Lydia Cissner.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lydiann Cissner, please visit our floral store.