Mary E. Sykes, 82, passed away on Sunday at Ridgewood Care Center. She was born in Racine on May 9, 1935, and was the daughter of the late Roy and Eva (Nee: McKinley) Schmidt and was a lifelong resident of Racine.
She was a graduate of William Horlick High School “Class of 1954”. On June 19, 1954 she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Donald A. Sykes. Mary was a longtime active member of Evangelical United Methodist Church now known as Faithbridge Church where she belonged to the Christian Women’s Club and bible study. She enjoyed the theater. Above all, she will be best remembered for her great love and devotion to her family.
She will be sadly missed by her loving husband of sixty-three years, Don; her children, Cindy Sykes, Jeff (Susan) Sykes, Randy (Donna) Sykes, Ross (Olga) Sykes; her four grandchildren, Troy Graceffa, Jennifer Sykes, Amy Sykes, Victor Sykes; her three great-grandchildren, Cora, Eden, Bella; brother, LeRoy Schmidt; sister, Shirley Fellion; sisters-in-law, Patricia (Clayton) Schalinske, Henryetta (Tom) Eser, Dorothy Sykes; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Robert Sykes and Herb Hotchkis; and sister-in-law, Karen Schmidt.
Funeral services will be held at Faithbridge Church on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at 6 p.m. with Reverend John Fleming officiating. Private interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the church from 4 p.m. until time of service at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Faithbridge Church have been suggested.
Mary’s family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Ridgewood Care Center staff on 2E for their loving and compassionate care.