Ione "Sissy" Edna Halff

Ione "Sissy" Edna Bishop Halff passed away on December 2, 2012 after a five year battle with cancer. Sissy was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 20, 1917 to Carl Johnson and Edna Bedell. Her family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas at an early age. Sissy was the oldest of six children. She loved telling her friends about her life on her family's farm and her tom-boy antics. Even though her father, Carl, was successful in the oil and banking business, they were by no means wealthy. Their large family did require an equally large car for basic transportation and the family purchased a used limousine. Many of Sissy's schoolmates commented that her family must be rich and she just didn't know it. But as we all know they were only rich in their love for one another and their Texas heritage.

Sissy attended Sunset High School in Dallas, Texas and later went on to business school. In 1937, Sissy married Harry Bishop and was mother to Harry C. Bishop and Anita Bishop. After raising her children, Sissy moved to Austin and in 1976. She, met Lt. Col. (ret.) Meyer "Hal" Halff, formerly of Lakeway in 1987 and they were married in 1992 until his death in 1996. Sissy often said there was no better man for her than "Hal".

Except for the last three months of her life, Sissy was an intelligent, active and vibrant woman. She was an avid reader, gardener, joke teller and enjoyed time with her sister, Irma and often spoke of her extended family, Henry Halff and Julia Keith. Sissy was a friend to all. No friend in need was ever refused when asked for help. If a resident of Lakeway passed away, Sissy was first to make a donation in their name to Meals on Wheels.

Sissy is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Edna Johnson; siblings Fred Johnson, Carl Johnson, Jr., Virgil Hurley, Joy Gipson, Anna Lee White; husbands Harry Bishop, Robert Crawford and the love of her life Meyer "Hal" Halff. She is survived by her sister Irma Johnson; children, Harry C. Bishop and Anita G. Bishop; grandchildren Kelly Bishop and Stephen Bishop and numerous nephews and nieces.

Special thanks to the staff of Ashwood Assisted Living, Riverside Rehab and the nurses and staff at South Austin Hospital 3 North, as well as Christopher House for assisting Sissy in her last hours.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas. A private interment will be conducted at the military cemetery at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas on December 7, 2012.