Ella Sparks Bryan

Ella (Sparky) Bryan of Littleton passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, after a courageous struggle with lung cancer. She was born in Charleston, Missouri on February 20, 1922. Preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Raymond J. Bryan in 1997. She will be missed by her ""second love"" Jerry Dickinson and his family. She was the loving mother of 5 children: Robert Bryan, Pat Kuczak, Barbara Lyons, Kelly Bryan, Sharon Bernardo and 8 grandchildren: Christy and Danielle Kuczak, Kristin Lyons, Curtis and Katie Bryan, Ray, Ben, and Marie Bernardo. As a wife of a career Air Force Strategic Air Command pilot, she and her family moved many times. She was always supportive of his career and kept the home fires going when he was stationed TDY (temporary duty). Some of the bases/places they were stationed at included the Pentagon; Clark AFB in Manila, Philippines; Sacramento and Merced, California; MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida; Bunker Hill AFB in Kokomo, Indiana; Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama; Lincoln AFB in Lincoln, Nebraska; Altus AFB in Altus, Oklahoma; K.I. Sawyer in Gwinn, Michigan; Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio; Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio; Udorn AFB in Thailand; and Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington. They retired to Denver in 1974. She provided home care for her mother and mother-in-law for many years. Sparky passionately enjoyed the outdoors and camping. The 28' Airstream trailer was a luxury item added to the family in 1959--it saw many campsites and provided many good times and fond memories for family and friends for almost 40 years. She and Ray enjoyed serving as officers of the Wally Byam Caravan Club, attending rallies and meeting new friends. After her husband retired from the Air Force and the ""kids"" were grown, she completed a 4 year college degree and then worked ten years as Office Manager for the District Head of the U. S. Dept. of Labor. Sparky and Ray enjoyed many ""Mystery Trips"" and travels with Ports of Call. They traveled to Manzanillo, Mexico and fell in love with a beautiful resort—Vida del Mar. She and her family and wonderful friends enjoyed many glorious days there ""bobbing"" in the ocean, playing cards and board games, and enjoying dinners out and the local sites. Spiritually, Sparky was a devout Catholic and member of Light of the World Church. She volunteered with Senior Friends at Swedish Hospital where she made many new friends and associates and enjoyed their trips and activities. She and her card club enjoyed playing cards together on a regular basis. A ""Celebration of Life"" service will be held honoring Sparky on Saturday, November 29 at 10:00 a.m. at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for St. Anthony's Hospice Foundation, Porter Hospice Foundation, 7995 E. Prentice Ave., Suite 204, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, (303) 715-7615.