LYNN SISSONS, was a first cousin of John McWillie, father of the author, Robert McWillie. She was born at Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Her parents were Thomas Sissons and Mary Ann Sutherland. Mary had been born in Deskford, Scotland, and was the daughter of John Sutherland and Ann Scott, who had immigrated in 1878 to Canada from Scotland and settled on a farm bordering on the west side of the of Portage La Prairie Manitoba. Canada. Thomas and Mary Sissons where married in Portage La Prairie in October of 1879 and became outstanding members of the local community. They had a family of seven daughters and two sons. Their daughter Lynn, was raised on the parents "Maple Farm" on the west edge of, Portage La Prairie. She attended the local Portage La Prairie public school. In 1921 following the completion of her public schooling she enrolled in, the Winnipeg School of Art, from which she received her diploma in 1949. She continued art classes at the University School of Art and studied under, Lemoine Fitzgerald, Franz Johnston, Joe Plaskett, Walter J. Phillips, George Swinton and others.