Top Banner for Lois Jeanne Dison Obituary
Lois Jeanne Dison Obituary

Brought to you by Brewer and Sons Funeral

Lois Jeanne Dison

Tampa, FL

June 13, 1930 - January 20, 2021

Lois Jeanne Dison Obituary

Lois Jeanne Dison passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus at 8:40 Wednesday morning , January 20th. She was in her own home, surrounded by those she had loved and served so well. Mom was born the 2nd of 3 children in Buffalo, NY on June 13th, 1930 to William and Agnes Veigel. Her father was the director of Central City Business Institute in Syracuse New York, where Mom attended and graduated after high school. Mom met our dad, Durwood, and married him less than 3 months later. She used to say she was so in love with him she couldn’t see straight. Although Mom had a terrible fear of flying, she would have followed Dad anywhere and his military career took them to Germany where they were stationed for a while. They quickly became the parents of three children, moving to Augusta, GA for a year before retiring from the Army in Tampa, Florida. As her youngest began grade school, Mom took a part time job as an office receptionist for an ophthalmologist. There were only 3 employees when she joined the office. She eventually became the office manager, overseeing a staff of close to 40 people and retired after nearly 25 years of faithful service. She was a mentor and mother-figure to so many who worked with her, and the deep desk drawer next to her chair was always filled to the brim with chocolate candy of all kinds – which was open to everyone. She was a budget master, and helped countless people get control of their financial lives. She loved her country and educated herself on the politics of the day, volunteering in several presidential campaigns. After retiring, she settled in as Grandma Extraordinaire. A trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s house was better than going to Disney. She loved her Tampa Bay Rays and never missed a televised game. We took her to the Trop for a game on her 80th birthday where we had a birthday wish broadcast on the big screen between innings. Her guilty pleasure was ‘Friends’, and she would laugh until the tears came. She took tender care of her mother in her mother’s later years, and then her mother-in-law, Grace. Each took a turn living out their final days in a side apartment connected to Mom and Dad’s home. Mom was up early every day, and she would sit in her big recliner and read the scriptures. Mom and Dad were both active in Celebrate Recovery, which is a program that helps people with addiction and co-dependency. Their heart for CR grew from our dad’s struggle with alcohol, which he gave up with the help of the Lord. Mom held a ladies’ bible study in her home every summer for about 16 years. She loved using her modest but cozy home to comfort, edify and encourage anyone who walked through the door. To say Mom was loved is an understatement. We learned early on as kids that we would be sharing Mom with countless other “sons and daughters”. On January 5th, 2009, 7 months after their 50th wedding anniversary, our dad sat down to rest. He called Mom’s name and then flew right into the Savior’s arms. On the night of his death, Mom told us “I don’t know how to be me without him.” For 12 years she tried, but grief was her constant companion. Alzheimer’s began to unmercifully take her from us, but she remained her gentle, loving self until the end. Although we knew it was coming, the death of our matriarch broke us to pieces. She was the last grandparent any of our children had. Mom would have told us to take it one day at a time, and seek God’s fresh mercies for each day. So we will do our best to do that. Surviving her are her 3 children - Micki and husband, Fred; Steve and wife, Therese; Becky and husband, Dan; grandchildren – Nathan Dunn and wife, Colleen; Carrie Panzella and husband, John; Rachel Portnoy and husband, Michael; Rebekah Dennis and husband, Josh; Drew Dison and Cassie VonBehren; Jessica Dison and Taylor Burt; Melissa Dison; Greer Martinsen and husband, Dave; great-grandchildren Michael Corin Portnoy, Gage Portnoy, Hunter Portnoy, Margaret Panzella, Caleb Dunn, Elias Dunn, Boden Dunn and Liam Dunn. A service to honor her life will take place on Tuesday, January 26th at Brewer & Sons, 3328 South Dale Mabry Highway. Visitation from 10 – 11am. Service from 11 – 11:45am. Graveside burial for immediate family only will follow at Florida National Cemetery. For those of you who have asked, you can honor Mom by giving a gift to Celebrate Recovery through South Tampa Fellowship, 813-251-1515 or stfchurch.com.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Lois Jeanne Dison hosted by Brewer and Sons Funeral.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Lois Jeanne Dison.