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 HeartShare. HeartShare 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 has 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 always said that she wanted to live in Disney World. She loved her friends but she loved her family more. Her mother Theresa and her were best friends and so was her brother Little John. She adored her father and she loved GOD. Sissy was very spiritual. She did all these things not to win favor with GOD but because it was the right thing to do.

On July 5th 2012 Sissy went to heaven. Someone once said that evil killed her but Jesus took her home. Her mother Theresa, father John and big brother Little John, as do us all—

LOVE and MISS HER SO MUCH.



Some testimonials:

CARMEN'S MESSAGE TO SISSY
Where can I begin? Ms Mapes was an amazing teacher!!! She went above and beyond for us. (Students) she was more then just a teacher to me and as well to other students. Some students saw her as a big sister a best friend and even a mom. I consider her as all three. She was also a great person to talk about anything. I mean anything!! I can trust her with my eyes closed. Her teaching lessons were the best!!! She made learning so much fun. She made me want to learn more and more each day. She would always tell us she saw hope in her students in all of them. Not just some ALL. She also would tell us we have a purpose in this world and it's all up to us to figure that purpose out. She would never give up on any of us. I remember al her dances she would have for her mini lessons. One of our favorite dances was called "GROW THE CROPS"! All the kids loved it. She was such an amazing teacher!! She was always idling never mad or upset. She was that bright light in our school and if you were ever down and dark she would come along with that bright beautiful light telling you everything is going to be ok :) ! Not only was she an amazing teacher she went crazy for kids who could not afford to go to prom!!! And she called it "THE FAIRY GODMOTHER PROJECT" and she didn't buy no cheap dress she bought beautiful gowns!!!! For a lot of girls and on top of that did their makeup and hair!!! Now what teacher does that? Not many well none I know. She was perfect to me!!! She had the perfect heart, personality, smile, face, and cutest laugh!! :) She even started a girl group called GIRLS LEADERSHIP. And it was for girls like me and other students who will get together and just talk about some great ways to become a great leader as a girl and make change in this world. Ms Mapes changed a lot of girl's life in that group. She personally changed my life and how I look at things. She made me feel so great about myself. She made me the person I am today along with my mom :) she was the best!!! So as her school daughter I am proud to say I am SISSYS ANGEL!!!! And always will be.