Obituary of Dorothy Rickard

RICKARD, Dorothy Ann Palladino Born August 25, 1932, Died December 25, 2015. 83 Glorious Years. Proceeded in death by her husband of 50 years, William Dean Rickard. Mother of William C. of Los Angeles and Barbara Dolly (Robert Locey) of Buffalo. Proud member of the "Glory Hill Gang" of Elmira, NY, where they built a log cabin and frog pond. Sustaining members consist of brothers John and Joe; sisters Carmella Palladino and Patty Sayers, as well as many cousins. Her years at Elmira College brought her athletic headlines, a crown in the queen's court and a degree in Biology. She sometimes wondered what would have happened if she'd accepted the job offer in Hawaii. Instead, she married, mothered, and moved to Buffalo and earned a teaching degree. For thirty years she brought to Amherst Schools, bright new ideas, field trips, festivals, drug-free workshops, as well as writing and performing in the school musical "America, You Are Beautiful". Recipient of the Amherst Schools "Outstanding Educator" award in 1983. To this day former students (some in their 50's) return to tell stories of her impact on them. At home, she boasted the sweetest cherries, the biggest brightest tomatoes, and grapes that were guaranteed bug free, because she trapped them all in a suds-filled jelly jar. When there was no harvest, there were birds to feed ( she loved watching them compete for pole position), crosswords to fill, and pierogies to produce. If it was a windy day she'd hang out the sheets to watch them snap dry. She took very seriously the pattern she followed mowing the lawn (which she did until age 81). She sang with perfect pitch and danced with abandon. She always told waitresses they were "very pretty girls". One could not pack more joy into a person. She loved every day, even those when she had to "make her own sunshine". If, in her memory, you would engage a child and teach them something, it would be a testament to her life's work. Family and friends are invited to visit Walter J. Kent Funeral Home, 858 Lake Street at Washington Ave., on Wednesday, December 30th from 7 pm to 9 pm. Prayers will be offered there on Thursday, December 31st at 10:15 am. Her Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Lourdes Church will take place at 11:00 am. Rev. Scott Kubinski Celebrant.