Memorials › Cecilie Elizabeth Orsak Zissa
Cecilie Elizabeth Orsak Zissa
5 Nov 1924 – 7 Dec 2024
| Birth | 5 Nov 1924 |
| Death | 7 Dec 2024 |
| Cemetery | Saint Joseph Cemetery Yoakum , Lavaca County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | John Pavlik on 10 Dec 2024 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/277228230 |
Bio
On November 5, 1924, Cecilie Orsak was born to John V Orsak and Bertha Eicher Orsak. She attended Beasley Grammar School and graduated from Shiner High School in 1943. After graduation, she attended Jefferson Davis Nursing School from 1943 to 1946 and obtained an RN certification. She finished her education with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at the University of Houston in 1950. Cecilie started her nursing career at the Southern Pacific Railroad Hospital and finished 40 years of nursing at Rosewood Hospital. Both of these hospitals were in Houston. She lived and worked in Houston from 1943 to the time she retired in 1989. On November 22, 1950, she married Lebert J. Zissa and became parents to David L. Zissa on November 3, 1953, and Richard J. Zissa on March 12, 1961. She was the oldest of her siblings, Adolph and Agnes Orsak. She has 2 grandchildren, Andie and Alex Zissa, 1 great-grandchild, Jade Zissa, and 2 stepchildren Lacy and Janielle Fontenot, and her daughter-in-law, Sharon Dostalik Zissa, wife of Richard Zissa and Cecilie's life-long friends, all nurses, were Dora Fuelberg Steele, Pannie Bachhofer, Rosemond Tulley Pierce, and Margaret Parick Meyers. They were the very best of friends and always stayed in contact with each other through letters. The most remarkable thing about her was the love she had for her family. That love was instrumental in unifying us in our cattle business. The love she gave was by helping us with our ranch duties. She kept track of our herd, helped load cattle that would be taken to auction, sold cattle to individuals, purchased cattle and kept track of the finances. A few years ago, our mother was checking on our herd, she spotted a calf out on the road. There was no one around to help her put the calf back into our pasture. She drove up to the entrance gate, opened it, drove back to where the calf was and walked the calf along the fence line to the open gate. The calf went through, and she closed the gate. Our mother was 86 years old at that time. People would ask her why she did you go live on a farm after you retired. Her answer was, "Because I am happy to do something I like to do." I truly believe we never thought of our mother as a friend even after we grew up. She was the one that raised us and taught us values. There were times when we thought we knew it all. She would always give us a piece of her mind and we would eventually come around to her way of thinking. Her point was well taken, and we would agree with her. If she was wrong, she would admit it. If we had a good idea, she would back us. We respected her intelligence and common sense that was exemplary to her. This is why she was our matriarch. Our mother lived her life with a courageous heart. Because she persevered over many obstacles. When she was a child, she lived in poverty. Her answer to poverty was to get a college education. Her mentor was her own mother who taught her to have faith in God and do the best you can despite the odds. She got a lot of encouragement and support from her mother. Our mother took care of our father who had emphysema most of his life. She accepted her husband for who he was and what he did in life. She admired our father because he was a hard worker and always did the very best he could. He appreciated her and would confide in her when he needed help. When they were both sick, they helped each other despite how bad they felt. I can truly say this solidified their marriage and love for one another. They deeply cared for one another. Her colon and breast cancer came as a total shock to her. As a nurse, she saw many people with cancer and she would ask, "Why me." With the help of God and good doctors, she accepted the treatment and came out fine. I feel that God spared her life so she could be with her husband and two sons. We needed her inspiration and guidance. She liked talking with people that had cancer and wanted to give them support and comfort. She received her spiritual nourishment by saying her morning prayers every day. She believed in praising God anytime or any place. For instance, she loved to say a road prayer when we would travel in a car. Prayer to her was something you do when things go wrong, but most of all when things go right. She felt comfort in praying for others because it is God's will that we pray for others. Her wishes are for close family members, relatives, and friends to keep peace. She wants us to express love and friendship for each other despite differences of opinion we may have. She cherished the words, "Forgive and Forget". At the end of our lives, God will reward us for the good we do for others. She wants to know whether we are rich or poor, smart or not smart, we all belong to God. We should strive for positive choices and consider the ideas of others when making decisions. Our mother was a special person in our lives, and we will have many wonderful memories of her. It will be painful to have lost her. But I truly believe if we do God's will, and love the Holy Spirit, we will reunite with her in the afterlife. Cecilie's closing message: "To my children and grandchildren, I want to meet you in heaven, so don't do anything to block the path."
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