Dorothy Johnston Amis' Obituary
Dorothy (Sissie) Amis, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 10, 2025. Sissie was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Robert (Bob) Amis at the tender age of 13 at her brother's birthday party. They married in 1958 and enjoyed 58 years of marriage before Bob preceded Sissie in death in 2017.
Born March 30, 1938, Sissie was the daughter of the late Robert Addison Johnston, Jr and Dorothy WIlliams Johnston. She is preceded in death by both parents and her older brother, Bob Johnston. She graduated from Hockaday School for Girls and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin while her husband Bob finished his law degree.
Later, at age 43 and after owning a successful Montessori preschool, Sissie finished her own law degree and became an attorney herself, practicing law in Oklahoma and Texas until she retired at age 74. She enjoyed a long employment as a staff attorney to Federal Magistrate Paul Stickney in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Texas.
Sissie and Bob had three daughters, Sharon (Astra), Cindy and Marilyn, in four years between 1961 and 1965. She is survived by all three daughters, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Astra and her husband, Zippy White, along with grandson Tom Techentien and great grandsons Dorian, Jaxon and Kellen, reside in Oregon.
Cindy and her husband, Tim Croft, along with granddaughter Addison Franklin, reside in Colorado. Grandson Wright Franklin and his wife Aileen Page reside in Alaska. Great grandson Bjorn Tuck is in Mississippi.
Marilyn and her husband Jerome Chladil reside in Austin, Texas. Grandson Jesse Chladil, his wife Erin and great granddaughter Naomi reside in Pennsylvania. They are expecting another daughter any day now. Grandson Aidan Chladil, his wife Aynne and great granddaughter Mila reside in McAllen, Texas.
Sissie touched many lives, both as a couple with Bob and individually. She had lots of friends, laughter, love and fun. A simple obituary cannot capture the extent to which she was loved and treasured by so many. Sissie made two friends in sixth grade whom she adored and with whom she maintained her friendships to the end, In 2024 on her 86th birthday she had lunch with Betty Compton and Nancy Neuhoff and they celebrated 74 years of knowing and loving one another.
Sissie spent the last seven years of her life in Austin, where she was lovingly assisted by Marilyn, Jerome, Aidan and Aynne Chladil (and Mila) in living her last years to the fullest. Many of Marilyn and Jerome's friends and neighbors joined Sissie's fan club, getting to know and enjoy her sweet personality as we all have through the years.
If you knew Sissie, you loved her. Though we will miss her light and her smile, we know she is happy again with Bob and will be part of us always.
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothy?
Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothy you’ll never forget.
How did Dorothy make you smile?