Imogene Hisey, better known as “Mom,” “Grams,” or to the hundreds of students to go through her classes, “Mrs. Hisey,” had one last Christmas with family before slipping from this world to her heavenly home on Dec. 26, 2021.
Imogene was born in Miller, Missouri, to Gordan Smith and Evelyn Wisehart Smith. While working at a soda fountain in Redmond, Ore., as a teenager, she met the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Hisey. The two were married in 1950 and would cherish 64 years together before Chuck passed away in 2014.
The life and love found at their farm in Creswell, Ore., was well-known throughout the community. Friends, family, and former students could always count on a warm welcome, though only strangers used the front door. Imogene could often be found writing letters, cooking and canning, or hanging the wash on the line to dry.
Some of Imogene’s favorite verses say, “Freely you have received; freely give,” (Matthew 10:8) and “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:14) Anyone who met her can attest to her generous love.
In 1977, she helped start Creswell Christian Child Care Center where she taught until she was 82, earning the distinction of “Educator of the Year” by the Creswell Chamber of Commerce in 2008. She impacted hundreds of young lives over the years as she fiercely believed in the goodness of her students.
The thing Imogene most delighted in was her family. Trips to the coast and weeks spent camping were among her favorite things to do. She was never too busy to look for seashells with a child or grandchild or go stargazing with a procession of grandkids in tow. Summers spent at the farm were highlights for her grandkids and she filled them with swimming lessons, strawberry picking, and time together.
Her pride and joy were her five children: Debra Hisey, Rebecca (Marvin) Lake, Dennis (Kathy) Hisey, Philip “Randy” Hisey, and Rodney Hisey. She delighted in her 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, her great-great-granddaughter, and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Imogene loved her people here on earth, but she was looking forward to being reunited in heaven with her sisters, Anna Mae and Donna Sue, her son, Rodney, her daughter-in-law, Nina, and her great love, Chuck.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m. at Creswell Church of Christ, 380 Kings Row, in Creswell. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Creswell Christian Child Care Center, P.O. Box 217, Creswell, OR, 97426.
