LOIS WINSLOW SISSON AMES

1931 - 2022

AMES, Lois Winslow (Sisson) Writer, Social Worker, Activist, Dies at 91 Lois Winslow (neé Sisson) Ames, writer, poet, clinical sociologist, activist, mother of two and inspiration to many, died peacefully on June 23, 2022, at the age of 91. Lois, also known as "Tookey Sisson" was born in Boston on Jan. 21, 1931, the daughter of the late Chase Winslow Sisson and Lois (Barton) Sisson. Often first in her class, Lois attended Arlington and Wellesley schools and won a scholarship to Smith College in Northampton, where her mother and grandmother had graduated. After completing a Bachelor's degree in English, Lois moved to New York to embark on a writing career. There, she widened her path and applied to the University of Chicago for a Master's program in social work. While at the university, she met and later married Robert Webb Ames. The couple moved to Williamsburg, VA where her husband became the architect for William and Mary College. In her role as a faculty wife, Lois attended many elegant events, but she focused on countering the inequities of institutional segregation. Robert's career lead them back to Chicago, where Lois, mothering her small children, returned to the University of Chicago as its first social worker and resumed her writing career, attending the summer writing program Bread Loaf in Vermont. While there, she formed a friendship with poet Anne Sexton, that was to last until Anne's suicide in 1974. Divorced and living in her family's old farmhouse in Sudbury, MA, Lois became the first woman social worker faculty member at Northeastern University's College of Criminal Justice. During her years at Northeastern, she co-founded the Weekend College that enabled working students to attend college. Despite her achievements, Lois was denied tenure and lodged one of the nation's first sex discrimination suits trailblazing the way for others. She returned to private practice, which she ran well into her 80s. Concurrently, she held status as a Harvard faculty member, and for decades attended seminars composed of experts in sociology, psychology, and psychiatry who problem-solved and opinion-shaped sociocultural issues. A poet, writer and biographer, she wrote the biographical note to Plath's American publication of The Bell Jar, a New York Times bestseller. Lois also stood as a consistent friend to Sexton, editing her poems, revising her play "Mercy Street" and later co-editing Anne Sexton: A Self Portrait in Letters with the poet's daughter, Linda Gray Sexton, after Sexton killed herself. A feminist, abortion rights supporter and ardent Democrat, Lois was also a lifelong Unitarian Universalist (UU) who championed the disenfranchised and also was actively engaged with the First Parish in Sudbury, a UU church for 50 years. Intelligent, humorous, compassionate, and opinionated, Lois was a vibrant presence. An excellent debater, she served as president of the Smith debate team against Amherst, which was led by the young William Buckley, beating the all-male team for the first time with an all-female one. A chic dresser, she wore Marimekko dresses and other colorful, floral prints along with a big pair of purple blue sunglasses and large hats over her smile. A lover of saltwater, Lois spent many joyful years in St. John, Martha's Vineyard, Star Island, and Wellfleet with her children, grandchildren, and many friends. Lois is remembered for her great laugh, a legion of friendships, her long stories and deep conversations where she listened to the joys and sorrows of many others. Lois is survived by her children Liz Ames of Concord, MA; Adam Ames of Sudbury, MA; and her two grandchildren Zachary and Anna Ames. She is also sister to John Sisson of Tucson, AZ. Her Memorial Service will be held at the First Parish of Sudbury, 327 Concord Road, on Friday, July 8th at 3 pm. Masks required; for Zoom access check church website. Kindly bring a photo of Lois, or a poem she wrote to display at the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions be directed to Smith College via thesmithfund@smith.edu; First Parish of Sudbury; or to Planned Parenthood. Visiting Hours: Service will be held at the First Parish of Sudbury, 327 Concord Road, on Friday, July 8th at 3 pm. Masks required; for Zoom access check church website.

View the online memorial for Lois Winslow (Sisson) AMES