Cissy Stewart, whose Star-Telegram columns had readers ‘hang on every word,’ dies at 96
Cissy Stewart Lale, who spent four decades as the society columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and editor of the Living section, died Monday morning in Fort Worth at age 96.
Suzie Torres said her aunt passed peacefully at Trail Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation, where she had lived for 2 1/2 years. Mrs. Lale worked at the Star-Telegram for 38 years as Cissy Stewart, and became a strong voice for women beginning with her column in 1955 until her retirement in 1987.
“She championed women not by protesting but simply by writing about women leaders and charity causes relentlessly in a time when the Star-Telegram living section was still called ‘Woman’s World,’” Star-Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy said.
Torres said Mrs. Lale died from natural causes, not from COVID-19 that has stricken many in nursing homes across the area and country during the coronavirus pandemic.
Able to visit her aunt only through a window because of restrictions at the nursing home, Torres said she visited Mrs. Lale on Thursday and found her to be in pain. Hospice was recommended, and Torres, her brother and her husband were able to visit Mrs. Lale on Sunday for the last time.
“Each one of us, when we spoke, she opened her eyes and looked at us. I guess that gave her some closure,” Torres said.
Lloyd “Cissy” Stewart Lale was born Jan. 15, 1924, in Port Arthur, and her family moved to Cleburne in 1930. Mrs. Stewart graduated from Cleburne High School before earning a degree in journalism from the University of Texas.
Her first newspaper job was at the Marshall News Messenger from 1945-1947 before working two years at the Cleburne Times Review. She was hired by the Star-Telegram in 1949, where she was a reporter, columnist, photographer and art and fashion editor.
Her duties would take her to as far away as Europe for fashion shows.
Mrs. Lale was the national president of the Women in Communications Inc. from 1968-1971.
After her time at the Star-Telegram, Mrs. Lale continued to be active in the community. She was a member of several Fort Worth groups and clubs, and was the president of the Texas State Historical Society Association from 1996-1997.
“I had known what she did but didn’t realize how big and influential person that meant until I was an adult and I would go out in the world and people would realize she was my aunt,” said Torres, who formerly worked at the Star-Telegram in advertising. “People would go, ‘Oh, I love her. I hang on her every word.’ “
Mrs. Lale married Max Lale in 1983 but never had any children. Mr. Lale died in 2006, and Mrs. Lale is survived by four nieces and three nephews.
A graveside service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Greenwood Memorial Park, and Torres said a celebration of life will be held at a later date after it’s safe for large groups to gather again.
This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 6:02 PM.
