Maria C. Morrison

Maria "Chris" Morrison, 79, passed away after a short illness at Cayuga Medical Center, she was surrounded by her loving family.
Maria was born on November 30, 1937 in Los Angeles, CA. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Brown. She had three older brothers James, Phillip and Donald Brown, who were her champion and protectors throughout her early years.
Maria met her former husband, Richard "Skip" Morrison II, while he was a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy, on leave in Los Angeles. They were married on February 13, 1954 at a Nuptial Mass in the Church of All Saints in Los Angeles. They traveled between LA and Ithaca, before they decided to settle in Ithaca to raise their six children.
Maria's growing family was her first priority. She was a "mom" first. The family first resided at Turner Place and then at Prospect Street. There were so many happy memories growing up.
Maria decided, when her children were all attending school, she would rejoin the work force. Her first job was at the Rabbi's office at Ithaca College and then she moved into advertising. She worked for Cogan Advertising, Garrity Promotions, WHCU and the Downtown Ithaca Partnership. At the Downtown Partnership, she created and implemented the first Chili Cook Off, for which they still use the logo she created. She also founded Morrison Advertising which she successfully ran for many years. Her talent for drawing and writing ad copy will be forever found in the archives of the Ithaca Journal.
Maria's passions were taking politics, cooking, reading and painting, for which she had a real gift. Her children proudly display her artwork throughout their homes. She had a beautiful singing voice and sang in the Immaculate Conception choir for many years.
Maria loved to travel and one of her favorite places to go was the beach. The family would vacation every year at Bethany Beach, Delaware.
Maria's true loves will always be her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Maria was so fortunate to have such a large and loving family.
Maria is survived by her children Debra Brewster (Jack), Michelle Van de Mark (William), Agnes Binger (William), Richard T. Morrison III, Maria Morrison-Barr (Tracy), her grandchildren Josie Morales, David Morales, John D. Brewster III (Sarah), Kathleen Clockedile (Jeremy), Maria Brewster, Christopher Van de Mark, Madeline M. Morrison, Richard T. Morrison IV, Brian Barr, Sean Barr, her step-grandchildren Brennan Binger (Elizabeth) and Brooke Cornell (Scott), her great grandchildren John D. Brewster IV, Jeremy Clockedile, and Kai Clockedile and her step-great grandchildren William Binger, Claire Binger, Serena Binger and Samuel Green. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Cynthia Morales (David), the father of her children Richard T. Morrison Jr. and her brothers, James, Donald, and Phillip Brown.
There will be a Memorial Mass held at Immaculate Conception Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 6, 2017 with calling hours at the church at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Ithaca in her name.
Maria Christina Morrison, your children will forever love and miss you.