Sylvia Dickson

Sylvia Katherine Dickson was born on August 24th, 1942 in National City, California. Her father Virgil Robinson, Jr. served in the United States Navy during World War II and later served as a Merchant Marine Officer and navigator. Her mother Catherine Ann Robinson was originally from Los Angeles. Tragically, Sylvia’s mother passed when Sylvia was only six years of age. Sylvia was raised from the age of six by her paternal grandparents in beautiful Bonny Doon, California. Sylvia graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1961.

Sylvia married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, James Ray Dickson on April 23rd 1961 in Santa Cruz, California. Jim and Sylvia spent their honeymoon in Monterey, California. Sylvia and Jim’s son James was born on April 22nd 1964 in Big Spring, Texas. Jim was a weapons specialist in the United States Air Force. Sylvia was so proud to be an Air Force wife. At that time Sylvia and Jim were stationed at Strategic Air Command, Webb Airforce Base in Big Spring, TX.

Sylvia and Jim were transferred to Hamilton Airforce base in 1966 and resided in Petaluma, California. On January 1st, 1969 Sylvia gave birth to her daughter Lourie Lanett Dickson. While in Petaluma Sylvia worked at Philips Electronics. From the very start to the very end Sylvia was devoted to her son and daughter. She was a wonderful mother and was so proud of James and Lourie. Sylvia was involved in her children’s lives on a day-to-day basis. When either of them would take a trip, you could set your watch to the call that would come in from Sylvia confirming their safe arrival at their destination. Whether they were 5 or 55, Sylvia was the “safety mom” and “safety grandma” when they had children of their own.

In 1970 Jim was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force and the young family moved to Moss Landing, California. While in Moss Landing, Sylvia stayed at home full time with her young son and daughter. In 1972 the family moved to Aromas, California. Jim worked at the Firestone Tire plant in Salinas, California and Sylvia worked at Hartnell Junior College in Salinas. Sylvia worked in the admissions and fledgling computer department. She loved working with computers. She was also pleased to welcome her niece Leah Moon to live with the family while in Salinas. Sylvia loved Leah like a daughter and called Leah her “Da-niece” a combination of daughter and niece.

In 1974 the family purchased their first home in Salinas, California. Sylvia continued to work at Hartnell College and Jim was promoted to senior foreman/final inspection of the Firestone Plant. The family moved to Visalia, California in 1981 where Sylvia was a homemaker and a volunteer for the Visalia Police Department and Jim worked at the Armstrong Tire Plant in Hanford, California.

Sylvia and Jim moved to Fresno, California in 1987. At that time Sylvia took a position as a program coordinator at Career Track, Inc. Sylvia enjoyed organizing many top-level seminars and presentations while at Career Track. Sylvia also worked at J.C. Penney for nearly ten years where she met many close friends who became her “Bunko Babes” who met monthly for many, many years.

Sylvia welcomed her favorite son-in-law Brian Folland into the family in 1995. Her beloved son James was married in 1999. Sylvia’s pride and joy were her grandchildren Lauren Catherine Folland, Nicholas James Folland, Nicholas Bjarne Folland, Sean Randall McDonald and Megan Ashley McDonald as well as Great-Grandchildren Hunter McDonald, Henri James McDonald and Christian Robert Calma.

Sylvia devoted herself to many charities and non-profit organizations including La Comida Guild, Break the Barriers, New Covenant Community Church, Copper Hills Elementary School, Clovis North Junior and Senior High and many, many others.

After Sylvia and Jim retired, they decided to embark on a new career in real estate. The JSL Group (Jim, Sylvia, & Lourie) was formed in 2000. The group worked together at Realty Concepts for ten years. They sold a whole bunch of houses, and, most importantly, had a whole bunch of fun working closely together as a team.

Sylvia’s favorite pastime was spending time with family and friends. There were many, many vacations and weekends camping, boating, and taking trips in the RV. If Sylvia was there, good times were being had by all. Her positive attitude was infectious, and her smiles and laughter were many, loud and filled with pure joy. Sylvia always encouraged everyone to stand on their own two feet and to set their goals high. Sylvia loved to travel and went on many, many adventures with family and friends to Germany, Switzerland, Amsterdam, France, the Caribbean, Jamaica, Curacao, Mexico, Hawaii, Florida, New York, Colorado, Montana, New Orleans, Arizona, and all throughout California.

Sylvia loved to cook and hosted countless barbeques, dinners and gatherings for family and friends. Her soups were legendary and made with lots of love. Sylvia was an avid reader who enjoyed authors Nelson DeMille, Ken Follet, Jack Canfield, and many others.

Sylvia never missed a game, performance or any activity that involved her children or grandchildren. She was the greatest wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend that anyone could ever ask for. She will be missed by so many. The memories will live forever. Sylvia is survived by her husband of Fifty-Nine years James Ray Dickson, son James Ray Dickson, Jr., daughter Lourie Lanett Folland, niece Leah Moon, Son-in-law Brian Folland, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

All throughout her life Sylvia was devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Sylvia led her family with a lifelong fundamental emphasis on spirituality, generosity and caring for others. She went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021.

The family will hold a viewing at the Boice Funeral Home, 308 Pollasky in downtown Clovis, CA on Thursday February 11th, 2021 from 1 to 5 pm.

A celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at the 559 Brewery located at 356 Pollasky Ave. from 1 to 6 pm. Food and beverages will be provided.

Contributions in Sylvia's memory may be made to La Comida Guild (Valley Children's Hospital),

9300 Valley Children's Place, Madera, California 93636-8762

https://www.valleychildrens.org/guilds/our-guilds/la-comida.