Who is Simeonette

Simeonette Mapes was born on September 25, 1982 to Theresa and John Mapes in Albuquerque New Mexico. Her brother, Little John, who was only two at the time of her birth couldn't pronounce Simeonette and started calling her Sissy. She was Sissy to her family and friends from then on. Because her father was in the Air Force, Sissy's family moved every three or four years finally settling in Staten Island New York.

Early in Sissy's life she decided she wanted to be a teacher. Sissy never wanted to be rich nor famous; she just had a desire to be a mentor to young adults. She worked several jobs while getting her Bachelor's degree in education from the College of Staten Island. While attending the college she worked for an organization called heart share. heart share assists individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities and provides vital services to children and families. This is where Sissy found her calling. Once she completed her Bachelors degree she was hired by the New York City Board of Education as a high school teacher in one of Brooklyn's economically disadvantage areas to teach social studies. In June 2012 Sissy earned her Masters Degree in Education.

Sissy loved her job. It was more than just a job to her, it was her passion. She volunteered as a dance coordinator for the high school's talent show. She held an after school workshop she called "Girl's Leadership Class" where she instilled a since of pride and confidence into her female students. These were just two of the many programs she started. Sissy had a way of communicating to her students. She reached them by putting things in perspective. This is how she was able to have her students achieve the highest social studies test scores ever attained by her school. The scores were so high that her students had to take a retest given by another faculty member just to confirm that there wasn't any cheating involved. Needless to say Sissy's students scored as well or even better than the first test.

During the Christmas of 2011 Sissy was told that several of the students were not going to have any gifts to open on Christmas day. Sissy felt so bad that she told her mother about it and between the two of them they were able to collect enough gifts for every student in the school. These were not expensive gifts by any means. The gifts were slinkies, silly putty, small stuffed animals and other inexpensive items. The students couldn't believe that someone cared and loved them enough to do this that they got together and presented and signed a huge Christmas card to Sissy. Only this card wasn't for Sissy, it was for the "Parents of Ms. Mapes". It said: To the parents of Ms. Mapes, you must be terrific parents because you raised a beautiful daughter. We love Ms. Mapes and you too." The parents of Sissy still have that card today. During Sissy's funeral these same students told Theresa Mapes that they still have the gifts that Sissy gave them.

Sissy wasn't finished with her work on earth just yet. Her last act of kindness and goodwill to her students was the "Fairy Godmother Project". Sissy found out that several of her female students were not going to their prom because they couldn't afford a prom dress and the other expenses that go with a prom. So, Sissy got some of her friends and other caring people to donate nearly new dresses appropriate for a prom, artist for all the make-up and hair dressings needed and she herself paid for a few of the prom tickets so they could go to the prom. Just like Cinderella.

Sissy was loved by everyone she met. She was one of those people that you want to be around. She loved to dance. She loved animals. Sissy always said that she wanted to live in Disney World. Her favorite place in this world. She loved her friends but she loved her family more. Her mother Theresa and her were best friends and insuperable and so was her brother Little John. She adored her father and she loved GOD. Sissy was very spiritual.

On July 5th 2012 Sissy went to heaven. Someone once said that evil killed her but Jesus took her home.

WE LOVE and MISS HER SO MUCH.