Sydney Dickey Obituary

Sydney Catherine Dickey was born Sept. 22, 1942 in Colorado Springs to Matt and Ethel Shirola. She died in an automobile accident on Tuesday, July 31. A third generation Colorado native, Sydney spent her entire life in the Colorado Springs area, most of it about 15 miles south of town on the ranch that was homesteaded by her grandfather, Guy Parker. Her early education began in the one-room Lytle School. In 1960 she graduated from St. Mary's High School. While there, she held an after-school job at Penrose Library, where she developed a love of words and reading that lasted throughout her life. She later worked in the Civil Service for NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command). In 1961 Sydney married her high school sweetheart, James Dickey. Together they dedicated their lives to raising five children. She was a tireless supporter of her children and their many youthful activities. While the kids were in school, Sydney spent untold afternoons driving them to and from events and practices; and evenings and weekends attending competitions. She was an avid Florence Husky fan who proudly wore the blue and gold. Family was the center of her life. She loved all of her 11 grandchildren and cherished the frequent time she got to spend with Preston, Marah, Mitchell, Mason, Olivia, Elizabeth, Luke, Sawyer, Lane, Madeline and Spencer. Early in their marriage, Sydney and Jim lived for a brief time in San, Diego, Calif., where Jim was stationed in the Navy. It was at the family restaurant, Juniper Valley Ranch Dining Room, where Sydney made her greatest impact in the world of work. Her mother and father and aunt, Evelyn Ellis, founded the restaurant in 1951, and Sydney worked there on-and-off for nearly every one of its seasons - both in the dining room and in the kitchen. Sydney's expertise in the kitchen was on display in her home even more-so than it was in the restaurant. From simple daily meals to feasts on special occasions, friends and family delighted in getting their feet under Sydney's table until the day she departed. She was a member of the Colorado Cowbelles and frequented with her husband events of the Pikes Peak Range Riders and Range Rider Pivots. She was also a longtime member of St. Joseph's Parish. Sydney is survived by her husband of 46 years, Jim; her children Robin (Kurtis) Macura and Greg Dickey of Juniper Valley, Stephanie (Mark) Scheffe and Jon (Jodie) Dickey of Colorado Springs, and Chris (Kirsten) Dickey of Gunnison, Colo.; her brother Matt (Karen) Shirola; 11 grandchildren; aunt Evelyn Ellis; cousins, nieces and nephews; numerous dear friends; and countless restaurant customers. Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1830 S. Corona Ave., Colorado Springs, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, account number 19234133.