May 14, 2014 at 4:28 p.m.
Mary Virginia "Ginny" Sidlowski
Mary Virginia "Ginny" Sidlowski
Ginny was born in Gainesville, Fla. in 1953 to Wayne Thomas and Sarah Margie (née Rhodes) Sandefur. She studied music at the University of Florida and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Voice in 1975 at Eastern Kentucky University. After earning an additional degree in Computer Science, she was employed as a systems analyst and database administrator for over 30 years.
Ginny married Don Sidlowski (a native of Chicago) in 1982 in Houston, Texas where both had been working and where they lived until 1985. For the next 18 years they resided in Knoxville, Tenn. and in 2004 purchased land in Three Lakes, building a 20-acre hobby horse farm close to downtown. An avid and accomplished horsewoman, Ginny competed for many years in dressage in East Tennessee and took home top honors. She retired in 2011 from both the workplace and competition to enjoy life on the farm.
She was active in animal rights and rescue organizations. Ginny and Don rescued nearly 100 animals over the last three decades, all of which they either adopted, fostered or placed. Ginny was also very interested in World War II history. From 2012-13 she worked tirelessly with the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum to provide information and photographs for a new exhibit which was unveiled in November 2013 honoring her late father Col. Wayne T. Sandefur (U.S. Army, Ret). Ginny was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 431 in Three Lakes where, for the past several years, she and her Morgan-cross mare, Spicy, provided the riderless horse for the annual Memorial Day solemn celebration.
Both in high school and college, Ginny was active in choral and theater productions. In her younger years, she appeared in "Guys & Dolls," "Oliver!," "Annie Get Your Gun," "The King and I," and "The Fantasticks" among many others. Last year, she renewed her passion for the stage by performing in "The Music Man" and "Oklahoma!" at the Tommy O's Playhouse in Hazelhurst. Ginny was also a member of the choir at Union Congregational Church in Three Lakes.
Ginny is survived by her husband of 32 years, Don Sidlowski of Three Lakes; in-laws, Don and Mary Ann Sidlowski of Warsaw, Ind.; sisters, Becky (Russ) Hite of Gainesville, Fla. and Sally (Don) Roach of Clearwater, Fla.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Pam (Jim) Boll of Romeoville, Ill., Steve (Leann) Sidlowski of Morton Grove, Ill., Rick (Susan) Sidlowski of Wauconda, Ill. and Ken (Jill) Sidlowski of Lockport, Ill; aunts and uncles, George Anne Brown of Jackson, Miss., Nancy (Jack) Milota of Lemont, Ill., Barbara (Joe) Novak of Woodridge, Ill., Ron (Lorrie) Sidlowski of Bradenton, Fla. and Cheryl (John) Flowers of Forest View, Ill.; nieces and nephews, Rebecca (Pete) Sepulveda, Doug (Lesley) Roach, David (Jessica) Roach, Tom (Kelly) Fox, Jenni (Mike) Linares, Sky (Matt) Toma, Paul Sidlowski, Sophia Sidlowski, Cristine Sidlowski, Marie Sidlowski, Ricky Sidlowski, Becky Sidlowski, John Sidlowski, Ben Sidlowski and Andrew Sidlowski; four great-nieces, Caroline and Sarah Roach, Cameron Linares and Madison Fox; four great-nephews, Drew Sepulveda, Will Roach, Jonathan Linares and Mason Toma; numerous cousins; and her beloved horse, burro, dogs and cat on Oak Leaf Cluster Farm.
A "Celebration of Life" honoring Ginny's memory will be held for family and friends in the greater Three Lakes community on Sunday, June 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. at American Legion Post 431 in downtown Three Lakes. A short program will take place at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Memorials in Ginny's name can be made to the Three Lakes School District FAB LAB or to the ASPCA.
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