Mary Margaret Brite Cisper, age 85, proud mother of a strong-minded and independent brood, lifelong maker and artisan, and enthusiastic lover of family gatherings, died peacefully December 26, 2020 in Lenexa, Kansas, where she lived most of her life.  Born October 6, 1935 to Margaret and William Brite, she came of age in Shawnee, Kansas.  In 1955 she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Edward Cisper (d. 1994), beginning her journey to the matriarch she would become.  
From playing softball in her youth to traveling with her sister in retirement, Mary enjoyed an active, curious life with an always willing spirit. When life demanded it, Mary returned to the corporate world.  In 2002, she retired from Remel Microbiology Products of Lenexa after 20 years in customer service.  Well into her 70’s, she told her oldest, “I want to keep growing.” 
Mary was the embodiment of countless practical virtues from prom dress seamstress, canning goddess, efficiency expert, room mother, scout mother, track and field coach, bargain hunter, rugmaker and upholsterer, to tote bag and doll clothes designer and beading maven.  Yet it was her spiritual virtues—resilience and courage in the face of adversity; persistence, self-sacrifice, and deep faith—that sustained her, and awed her children. 
Exceeding her once-stated goal of having a dozen, Mary gave birth to nine daughters and six sons.  “I raised you all to be independent,” she would say (while sometimes biting her tongue).  Her loss is profoundly felt by her children and their spouses: Mary Cisper and Christopher Brink (Santa Fe, NM); Robert and Dawn Cisper (Boise, ID); Joseph and Marie Cisper (Olathe); Dennis and Carol Cisper (Choctaw, OK); Cecilia Bowlin (Kansas City, KS); Patrick and Sherry Cisper (Overland Park); Jerome Cisper (Overland Park); Christine Beasley (Overland Park); Martha and Patrick Allen (Celina, TX); Monica and Michael Walberg (Overland Park); Angela and Kent Charlton (Lenexa); Gretchen and Gavin Whitbeck (Phoenix, AZ); Katie Avila (Shawnee); Amy and Jason Teddy (Overland Park).  Mary mourned the loss of her youngest son, Frank, in 2014, son-in-law Ricardo Avila in 2017, and great-grandbaby George Quinn in 2017.
From her daughter-in-law, Marie: “To know that now I have one more heavenly woman loving me here on earth is mercy at its greatest.”  Mary’s high expectations for her children in the face of challenges were only a mirror of her own great tenacity and fortitude.
A swinger of birches in her youth (a pet donkey was mentioned), Mary is survived by her sister Carolyn Brite Peterson, brother Charles Brite (Donna), brother Gene Brite (Gerry Sue), and many nieces and nephews.  Her parents and her brother Bill Brite preceded her in death.  Her 34 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren will miss her lovingly handcrafted gifts, not to mention her hidden candy caches.  She will be remembered for savoring summer evenings on the patio, and most of all, her joy in her family.  Her love of life was grand enough to match her legacy. 
A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 am on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lenexa, KS.  Arrangements are by Porters Funeral Home of Lenexa.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. 
The family is deeply grateful for the loving care Mary received from the staff at Homestead Assisted Living in Lenexa and Ascend Hospice.