"Mary was more than a neighbor and friend, she was my rock! She held me up in the worst of times, fed me, taught me so many things. When my late husband first laid eyes on her when they moved he, she was hauling dirt in a wheel barrel around her house-"Now that is the kind of woman I could love", he said. He and Mary had great fun trying to out prank the other. I gave up trying to match her food and presentation as we shared so many meals over the yrs. Once I introduced her to Laurel Burke, she was all over her work and even put one of her works on the mail box! Mary was brave and strong in all her convictions, especially to give and give and give. She has left a big hole in this neighborhood and in my heart."
In loving memory of
Mary Lison Cobb
March 3, 1937 - September 8, 2012
Heaven get your fishing poles, crab lines, lobster pots and galley ready cause here comes Captain Mare. Come calm weather or hurricane she could feed a crew and she loved doing it! When you needed a good meal, kind word or helping hand she was there for us and we are missing her so much. Whether raising six kids, becoming an RN , getting her captains license or baking stolen she did it with lots of determination and gusto.
She was born in Green Bay Wi with "itchy feet" left there and kept right on moving. Her ports of call included the Bahamas, N. Fort Myers, Door County, Wisconsin River,
Sandy Beach Lake, P.R and Wah Kee Chinese noodles in Madison. Albert please keep an N6 ready when Mare calls.
Babies, puppies and those in need were always on her mind and she knew how to love them in a special quiet way. Mare never asked for attention except what a normal hurricane would think it's due! She steamed in and was resolute in her galley or on her bike. She took to a "land yatch" when Gollywobbler was stove to and sunk in 5 minutes. With her husband John Cobb she migrated across the U.S. for many years after that.
Mare was our good news go to person. Some adventure always brewing or happening. Fishing, cooking, biking, maybe a new set of paints for a grandchild or sister, a musical instrument for a budding player, a saddle for a horse crazy grand daughter, a week on the river for the family, an e mail of beautiful photos or jokes,a phone call of cheer, art supplies for a grand son, a new sail and wetsuit for her brother, hand made quilts, cherished Raggedy Anns and Laurel Burch paintings were just a few of the happy things shethought of for her family.
Please pass along your favorite Mary story for all of us to enjoy and give a wide berth to all bicyclists, puppies, and favorite grannies. Thanks to all -keep in touch
Mary Elizabeth Lison was born to Margaret Naumann Lison and Al Lison in Green Bay Wi on March 3 1937. She was the third born daughter of 5 kids. She grew up in Green Bay and Allouez and left for California when she married Jim Trochlell. Together they had six chidren Her son Jim died 12/7/2012 just 3 months after his mom. Surviving childred are Kathy Trochlell of Milwaukee and Mercer Wi. Cindy and Tom Jocz grandkids, Cassie and Nate of New Berlin Wi. Dan and Dawn Powalisz Trochlell grandkids Calem, Parker and Maya, of Adell WI ,Tom and Laura Trochlell six grandkids of San Antonio TX and Amy Cobb of North Fort Myers Florida.
In 1985 Mary and John Cobb married and cruised the Virgin Islands, later living in Arkansas and then North Fort Myers . John survives her. Brother John Lison of Florida and Culebra Puerto Rico and sister Peggy Lison and husband John Ottinger also survive Mary and miss her so. Mare also had three stepdaughters, Lallie Steve, Grace and John McKenzie, Elizabeth Brian and Alison Helms of Texas and Em Cobb of Oregon.
Mary kept of with a wonderful mix of friends who I hope will find this and write some good stories for us to share! Special friend Andrea Richter Parsons of Tennessee.
Call Peggy at 608-238-1940 for any addresses or phone numbers of family or other questions. Our address is 6 South Blackhawk Ave. Madison Wi 53705.
Tributes
"Aunt Mary and I became very close over the past five years since my mother, Nancy Lison Lagey, died. Mary and her family had been so very kind to my mom that I always felt I a great debt of loving gratitude to Mary. We kept up a very lively on-line correspondence and got to know each other. We shared a love of puzzles.(I introduced her to Soduko back in the early days because she loved logic puzzles.) We also shared a love of mystery books. She introduced me to the Jack Reacher books, which are so good, and I told her about the Hannah Swenson Cookie Murder books which we both enjoyed very much. Mary seemed full of energy. And she had a great love for her family. She was always the one to help anybody else out until the very end. I miss her very much, as I am sure anyone who knew her does."
"I would have never met Mary if I hadn't married her younger sister Peggy. Our visits from that time on (1990s) were marked by Mary's visits from her home in Florida to Madison, WI where we live. If I hadn't known her it would have been my loss. Her generosity and friendliness were contagious. And her cooking-- well, Chicken Andouille Gumbo was one that won first prize with us.. so good that a non-cook like myself could even make it. Sauteed soft-shell crab ("to die for," she would say), lemon pie, chicken with Hoisin sauce, any kind of fish.. you get the idea. I will seriously miss her..."
"Mary and I together with her sister Sukey Sue and my brother Bud spent many happy hours together as children. We'd bike down to the East River in Allouez to "go crabbing". (Crawdads really.) Every night we'd meet under the street light and play games, Kick the Can, Shadow Tag, Hide and Seek etc. Our signal to come home was when one of our parents turned on the back porch light. We rode our sleds down the roads in the winter, played in Kelloggs woods summer and winter. The cemetary was our favorite place to ride our bikes as the rodes there were paved and "nobody" complained if we got too loud! We enjoyed a wonderful, carefree childhood in Allouez in the forties. Rest easy Mary, you have earned it! Love, Rhea"
"I remember all the fun times the family had eating N6-Gung chow fried noodles at Wah Kee with Mare. This was her favorite food in Madison and even went to Florida and Texas a time or two.. Thanks Albert for making Mare her favorite!!! To the best sister ever from Peggy. Love ya millions alligator!!!"