Stephentown – Jo Anne “Dolly” Loomis Sykes, 61, died peacefully on Monday, April 28, 2014, at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA, with her family at her side. Born in Troy on June 28, 1952, she was the daughter of the late George Loomis and Mary Meyers Connar and is the step-daughter of Helen Loomis of Bennington, VT. Jo Anne resided in Stephentown, NY, for most of her life. She was employed at Sykes General Store in Stephentown and Jiminy Peak Resort in Hancock, MA.
Jo Anne connected her family and gave unconditional love to her children and grandchildren. Her smile would light up a room, and her kindness could be felt by anyone she met. She loved watching movies, playing cards and drinking tea with Mary Gilbert and the late Theresa Purdy.
Jo Anne is the beloved wife of 40 years of Paul Allen Sykes, Jr., loving mother of Jason P. Sykes and Paula S. Sykes, both of Stephentown, and Alissa M. and husband Matt Tulloch of Averill Park, NY. She is the adored grandmother of Aaron Gundlach-Sykes, Kiernan Sykes, Brandon Gundlach, Colin Miller, Drew Tulloch, Sage Dudley, Gabi Dudley, Taylor Brock and Justin LeBlanc, great-grandmother of Maya Sykes, sister of Sharon Woodcock of North Carolina, George Loomis, III and wife Tanya of Rotterdam, Suzette and husband Chuck McDonald of New Lebanon, NY, Mikki and husband Luke Humphrey of Spokane, WA, Henry and Jared Loomis, both of East Greenbush, NY, Tina Loomis of Castleton, NY, Gordon Connar and Stephen and wife Michelle Connar of Long Island, niece of Rosie and husband Junior Sweener of Stephentown, daughter-in-law of Paul and Rita Sykes of Stephentown, sister-in-law of Terry and the late Theresa Sykes and Eileen and husband P.J. Roder, all of Stephentown. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service is Friday, May 2, at 10 am at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown. Interment will be in the East Nassau Rural Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 3 to 7 pm.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Hillcrest Commons and Berkshire Medical Center Step Down Unit, both in Pittsfield, for the wonderful care given to Dolly.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Stephentown Vol. Fire Dept. Rescue Squad, 396 NY 43, Stephentown, NY, 12168.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.parkerbrosmemorial.com.