Sharon Kay Dickinson

Sharon Kay McGatlin Dickinson, a fifty-year resident of Boulder, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024, at age 86.

Sharon was a fierce, strong, honest, loving, smart, and kind woman born in Wallace, Idaho to Vivian Rowland McGatlin and Andrew James McGatlin on November 9, 1937. Growing up, Sharon was a dancer and a competitive ski racer who boasted several top finishes over the years at the Junior Olympics in Sun Valley. Sharon attended the University of Washington, where she joined the Alpha Phi sorority and served as the head cheerleader for two years. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and was a dance teacher and social worker after graduation.

Sharon was a supportive, caring person who believed, modeled, and taught others that it costs nothing to be generous in spirit. She and her husband Denny Dickinson were married for 59 years before Denny died in 2018. They raised two children, Jeff Dickinson of Denver and Katie Dickinson of Superior/Boulder, and they always prioritized their family. They were devoted, committed, and involved parents who believed in family first and in extending a hand to the next generation to make their path a little smoother. Their greatest joy was their two grandsons, Dillon McGatlin Dickinson-Tooman and Michael Denny Dickinson-Tooman. Sharon was an incredibly hands-on grandmother–she and Denny stepped right up to help raise their grandkids when their daughter went through a divorce–neither hesitated whatsoever. About the experience, she would always say, “It was the best thing we did; your dad and I enjoyed every bit of it, and we would not have it any other way. We were part of those boys' lives.” Sharon and Denny were integral parts of their lives, and she was completely dedicated to them both. The sun rose and set on those boys, who were the shining stars in her life. She often remarked, ¨they are the best of all of us. 

Sharon and Denny built community–they had the rare gift of being both inwardly focused on their family and outwardly engaged and interested in others. They enjoyed their friends and their children's friends. Sharon was authentic with her laughter and intense with her opinions. She did not care much for organized religion, believed strongly in women's rights, and had a true and strong moral compass. She was quick to laugh, especially at herself. She was very well-liked, and people were drawn to her, as she always made them feel comfortable. This continued to be evident at Balfour Lavender Farms, where she lived for the last 10 months of her life.

Sharon was fierce, spirited, and driven by her strong sense of right and wrong. She was completely dedicated to her children and grandchildren, always ready to lend a hand, talk through issues, give some relief, and participate fully in their lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Suite C-200, Boulder, Colorado 80302 www.weareplannedparenthood.org