Cheryl D. Brickey (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Cheryl Dean Brickey (née Sanford) passed away in Bolivar, Missouri at the age of 71 on 9 March 2017. Cheryl was born in LuVerne, Iowa on 10 January 1946 to Robert and Verna Mae Sanford, and was the beloved older sister to Terry, Dennis, Roxanne, and little Ricky. At a young age, Cheryl’s family moved to the Antelope Valley in Southern California, where Cheryl later graduated from Palmdale High School in 1964. As a young woman, Cheryl began her professional life as a secretary at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where she met and later married Worth Gutzwiller. Cheryl and Worth had two sons, Ryan and John, but later divorced. While working as a secretary at Lockheed Aerospace Corporation in Palmdale, California, Cheryl met and fell in love with Roy Brickey. Roy and Cheryl married on 22 May 1976, and joined their families with Roy’s children - Roy Jr., Sharon, Katherine, and David.
During Cheryl’s professional life, she later served as a Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Security Administrator on the SR-71 and U-2 spy plane, and F-117 stealth fighter programs, and her family is very proud of her service to our nation. Cheryl was also an athlete, outdoor enthusiast, and community servant. Some of Cheryl’s favorite activities included softball leagues, camping with Roy and their family, Antelope Valley Ski Club trips, supporting Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and gardening. In her later years, Cheryl enjoyed volunteer literacy work with California State juveniles, led exercise classes for older adults, and served in many capacities for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At church, Cheryl enjoyed teaching both young children and her fellow Relief Society sisters. Cheryl especially enjoyed temple and family history work, and sharing this eternal work with her family.
Throughout Cheryl’s life, she was an exemplar of President Gordon B. Hinckley’s counsel to “Cultivate an Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism,” and she demonstrated this especially so in her most important role - loving wife and matriarch. Regardless of life’s triumphs and challenges, Cheryl remained a devoted family uniter and builder over many decades. Near or far, Cheryl always made family and friends feel special and loved. As a grandmother, Cheryl loved spending time with grandchildren, and especially enjoyed playing games and sending thoughtful gifts. Cheryl loved traveling to visit family and friends, and her adventures took her to many places, including Australia, Germany, Hawaii, Alaska, California, Iowa, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Virginia. Every year, Cheryl and Roy looked forward to hosting family and friends at their beach condo in Oxnard, California. In 2015, Cheryl’s adventurous trip to visit family in Hawaii included two-and-a-half hours of zipline at Kualoa Ranch! Cheryl also loved animals. She and Roy welcomed many dogs into their home over many years - most recently Abbott and Patches.
Cheryl was both a teacher and exemplar in life, and in death. With family at her side, Cheryl passed away peacefully in her home, and displayed her indomitable “...Attitude of Happiness and...Spirit of Optimism” until the very end. Cheryl is survived by her husband, Roy Brickey; six children Roy Brickey Jr., Sharon Brickey, Katherine Amato (née Brickey), David Brickey, Ryan Gutzwiller, John Gutzwiller, and their spouses; brother and sister-in-law Dennis & Pat Sanford (née Hughes); sister and brother-in-law Roxanne (née Sanford) and Steve McKinnon; sister-in-law Denice Sanford (née Weatherby); sister-in-law Melody Sanford (née Clay); and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grand-children. Cheryl was preceded in death by her older sister Carol Sanford, and brothers Terry and Ricky Sanford.
The Buffalo Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will host a memorial service for Cheryl on Saturday, 25 March at 3PM at 1575 Mt Gilead Rd in Bolivar, Missouri. At a later date, interment will follow at the family cemetery in LuVerne, Iowa. Memories and photos of Cheryl can also be shared at http://www.butlerfuneralhome.com/. In lieu of flowers and gifts, tax deductible donations in memory of Cheryl can be made to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/funds/humanitarian-general-fund.html. You may also contact Bishop Dan Goodman at (417) 399-7152 or [email protected].
What’s your fondest memory of Cheryl?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cheryl?
Share a story where Cheryl's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cheryl you’ll never forget.
How did Cheryl make you smile?