Mary Dickson

MARY ANN DICKSON IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Mary Ann Dickson was born on August 1, 1954, to Dorothy Bernadette Cernich Smith and Robert Francis Smith in Denver, Colorado. She attended St. Bernadette's Catholic School and graduated from Jefferson High School in Lakewood, Colorado. She died of cancer at the age of 52 on February 3, 2007, at her home. She was under the care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho. After high school she attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education in 1976. She accepted her first teaching job at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Idaho Falls. Through the Catholic network in Idaho Falls, she roomed with another newly minted teacher, Patti (McMannon) Dixon. Mary Ann planned to gain some experience and move on after a couple of years, but stayed for the rest of her life. She formed a community education volleyball group that became a close circle of friends which continues to this day. One of those special friends, Richard Dickson, became her husband. They were married on September 24, 1983 in Lakewood, Colorado. Mary Ann was a great mom and parented three fine children. Their first child, Brian (an Eagle Scout), was born in 1986, Julie followed in 1987, and Amy came along in 1991. Brian is a Junior at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, Julie is a Freshman at Idaho State University in Pocatello, and Amy is a Sophomore at Skyline High School. She taught three and a half years at Holy Rosary School, one year at Iona Elementary School and then transferred to the newly opened Cloverdale Elementary School, where she remained for five years. When Brian was born in 1986, she devoted her time to her family. Mary Ann sparked her children's interest in music by introducing them to the guitar and piano. She volunteered in their classes as a reading buddy and a room mother. She returned to teaching as a substitute in 1997 and became a full time teacher at Cloverdale in 1999. In 2002 she began job sharing a second grade class with her long time friend Patti Dixon. They were known as Dickson/Dixon at the school. Mary Ann had extensive interests and was involved in many activities. She took up cross country skiing and volleyball while in Idaho Falls. She arranged for her friends to take country swing and square dancing classes with her. She loved gatherings with friends to celebrate different holidays. She enjoyed board games, cards, puzzles, sewing, gardening, bunko and holding babies. She introduced several family traditions to her friends including donuts on Groundhog Day, chili & cherry pie for Valentine's Day and baked potatoes on St. Patrick's Day. She made the best turkey soup from Thanksgiving leftovers. Mary Ann was a fun loving person. Her summers included camping and hiking trips. She led sing-alongs around the campfire and carols at the annual Christmas party. She invited people over as an excuse to do an extra thorough cleaning of her house. And no matter where the gathering was, you could find her in the kitchen cheerfully doing the dishes. In addition, she crafted personalized cards and posters for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. She was a dedicated member of two churches – Idaho Falls Catholic Community and Trinity United Methodist Church. She was the chair of the funeral dinner committee, the soup kitchen crew coordinator, publicity chairperson for the annual High Country Antique Show and treasurer of the Idaho Falls Council of Catholic Women. She assisted with summer Bible School at both Holy Rosary and Trinity, religious education at Holy Rosary, and Children's church and nursery coordination at Trinity. Mary Ann was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for Troop 329 and a committee member for Boy Scout Troop 6. Her faith in God was unfaltering even after her diagnosis of cancer last February. This cheerful, humble and giving soul made life richer for everyone she was around. She was a loving wife, dedicated mother and loyal friend, who died far too soon for us. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Richard, and children, Brian, Julie and Amy; her mother, Dorothy Smith; siblings Paula (Ed) Stearns, Robert (Joan) Smith, Betsy (Vern) Yost, Michael (Joni) Smith, and Joseph (Anna) Smith. She was preceded in death by her father Bob Smith. Rosary Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2007, at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 9th & Lee. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 8, 2007, at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, with Father Joe McDonald and Reverend Brenda Sene officiating. The family will visit with friends following the services at the church. The family suggests memorial donations to the Mary Ann Dickson Memorial Fund, c/o Cloverdale Elementary School, 3999 Greenwillow, Idaho Falls, ID 83401. ------------------------------------------------- Condolences sent online: Anne, Mary and Claire O'Brien amoido@srv.net Our hearts go out to your family and you are in our prayers. I always admired Mary Ann's calm and loving manner. She was way too good and way too young to die so soon. The O'Briens Alice Graden One of my favorite memories of Mrs. Dickson is when she let me listen to Amy in her tummy. She was so kind and so good-natured. She will be missed by a lot of people. Bert Michelbacher Richard- I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mary Ann. She was a special woman, and I can't remember ever seeing her without a smile. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Regards, Bert Michelbacher Jana Johnston janakuns@hotmail.com I'm so thankful to have had the priviledge of knowing your wonderful mom and wife. I enjoyed a short friendship with Mary Ann at Cloverdale Elementary for 6 years where I taught music and PE. She was always such a support to me and we enjoyed sharing creative ideas with each other about music and art for children. I admired her soft strength and loving ways so much. What a great legacy of love she leaves behind with you. God bless you all. May you be comforted now and in the coming days. Bob and Mary Gehrke Lacometa43@msn.com Our deepest sympathy to you, Richard, and your family upon the passing of your dear wife and mother. May it help to know we care. Sincerely, Bob and Mary Gehrke Pam Waagen waagenpl@id.doe.gov Richard, I had no idea that your wife was ill. I felt so bad when I heard the news. I can't even imagine the pain of your loss. The article in the newspaper we so beautiful. We have lost an extraordinary person. I wish I could have known her. My heart goes out to you and your family. Pam Waagen Dory Ryskamp ryskamp@aloha.net What a wonderful woman Mary Ann was! I loved seeing her face and Richard's at games and getting to sit with them. Mary Ann was always so warm and friendly to me and made me feel welcome in Idaho Falls. I am so sorry for all of your loss. God Bless you all as you go through this difficult time. Much love to you all, Dory Ryskamp Judy Shurtliff io719_jms@yahoo.com I stopped by my parents this morning to have coffee and I had just sat down when my dad opened up the paper and handed it to me. I knew it was the Obituaries, but somehow the picture I saw there, I knew that it couldn't be. My head started swimming & I said Dad is this the Obituaries, and yet knowing that it was. This wonderful woman whose face looked back at me, was the kindest, most gentle, loving, special person I have known in my life. No, she just could not be here on this horrible page. My heart went into my throat and the tears came quickly & quietly. I met Mary Ann several years ago when she taught my son, Gary Atwood in one of her first years at Cloverdale. Mary Ann was always very encouraging and I wish that there had been more teachers like her for Gary and my other children. I saw her about a year ago and I was able to tell her of Gary having his Master Degree and she was so happy and proud of him. This was Mary Ann, always thinking of someone else. I am so very sorry for your loss, I wish I would have known that she was ill, I would have loved to have seen her one more time. This town was Blessed to have had her here for this short time. May the blessings of heaven – and your memories – bring you comfort in this time of sadness.We were very Blessed to have known her. Whenever I would run into her, she always had a smile and a twinkle in her eyes. My dad was in business and ran a service station and Mary Ann was a good and faithful customer until he closed his business. May God be with you all and give you the strength to handle your loss of your Mother and your Wife. She was indeed very special. I am sorry that I was not a closer friend, but I am Blessed that I had a chance to have Mary Ann in our lives. Sincerely yours, Judy Shurtliff Frank and Linda Jakubowski Dear Richard and Family, You have our deepest sympathy. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Dr. Judy Jones and Staff We would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family. Mary Ann was a wonderful woman who touched many lives. Noel and Cathy Duckwitz Richard, Brian, Julie and Amy, Please accept our deepest sympathy. We have been fortunate to get to know you all through the many Troop 6 activities that we have shared together. Mary Ann was always a warm, kind, and positive parent and great Christian example to all of us involved in the activities. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers. Laura Knight lauraknight4ever@yahoo.com I want you to know that Mrs. Dickson was my favorite teacher when I was growing up in Cloverdale. She was a very fun teacher and she taught me a lot growing up at Cloverdale. I, however, and now 33 and started in the kitchen at that same school just two months ago in December 2006, and I was able to work with her those few times she was there. She had a great smile and it was contagious. I am sorry for your loss and I am going to miss her also. But we will see her again and you'll be a family forever too. May God be with you and the family. God bless! Laura Knight Carl and Shirley Woodruff shirley@yostonline.com Dear Richard, Brian, Julie and Amy, We send our love. We send our regret at not knowing that Mary Ann had cancer. Since moving to Iowa, we lost contact with those we saw often. With Joe at ISU and Carl and Shirley in Iowa, we hardly ever saw you and yours. Shirley still remembers the first day that she met Mary Ann. Mary Ann was so excited to have some help with her first graders at Iona Elementary. Shirley came into her room and worked with those students that Mary Ann felt needed help from a reading specialist. Mary Ann was so kind and warm that the children just seemed to want to please her all the time. It was great to see such a great teacher in action. We will miss her, as we know you will, but the memories of her will live with Shirley and us forever. Take care and may God Bless you and comfort you at your time of loss and forever after. With Love, Carl and Shirley Woodruff Lovena Bills lovena@ida.net May God be with all of her family and friends. Last summer when I saw Mary Ann, it was nice just to spend a little ltime with her and the laughter. She was always a strong person to me and somewhat quiet when she spoke, yet she had the heart the size of Heaven, we'll miss her dearly. Sierra Thornton I am sorry for your loss. I liked having her as my teacher this year and will miss her. Michael Grasseschi ahomichael@hotmail.com Dear Richard, Brian, Julie and Amy: Wendi and I are deeply saddened by this difficult chapter in your life; we were reminiscing about all the Richard moments from our childhoods that then merged into Mary Ann and Richard moments; and we were particularly touched by the way both you and your family have been there for our mother over so many years. Our condolences and prayers are with you and your family at this time of mourning and sadness, even as we celebrate all the amazing moments that you surely have had with the beautiful spirit and being whose name is Mary Ann. Yes, to all of the above. This is Wendi. We want you to know we are thinking about you, all of you, with all our hearts. Richard, I don't know what to say except - we love you. Thank you for all that you have been to our family and all that you still are, you and your wonderful family. My heart goes out to you all. If there is anything we can do, please, please let us know. With much sympathy and affection, Wendi and Michael Grasseschi