Beloved mother of five, Sydney passed away on June 15, 2025, leaving behind a void in the hearts of her surviving family members. We are deeply saddened to share this news.

Just a couple of months ago, Syd moved into the Bradford House Nursing Home in Bentonville, AR, after struggling with her breathing. Initially hesitant about the move, she quickly grew fond of the nurses and staff at the home. She was delighted with her room, the food, and the personalized medical and personal attention she received during her final weeks.

Unfortunately, Syd contracted an aggressive form of lung cancer. Despite surviving throat and colon cancer, among other ailments, she succumbed to the cancer, peacefully passing away in her sleep.

In her final days, Syd was visited by her surviving children, each expressing their love and affection for her. Despite her illness, she remained in good spirits and had been diligently preparing with religious instruction for many months. The medical staff ensured her comfort through medications, and she remained of sound mind until the very end.

Sydney was born in Tulsa, OK, to JoeAnn Hubbard Flynn (1921-1967) and Maurice "Peter" Warren Flynn (1920-2008).  Soon after her birth, her father served during World War II with the Sea Bees, the Naval Construction Force of the US Navy.  Her mother and grandmother, Hildah Warbington Russell, took care of her as a toddler.  After the war, she moved with her parents to Concord, CA, where her father worked as a munition's expert at the Concord Naval Weapons Station.  The family welcomed three additional sons, Myles (b. 1945), Frank (b. 1949), and William (b. 1951).

In 1956, Sydney moved with her parents and brothers to Muskegon, MI, where she attended Muskegon Catholic Central HS, graduating in 1959. She soon enrolled in Western Michigan University as an education major but did not complete her degree because she became pregnant with her first child, Christopher "Chris" James Huggard (b. May 15, 1962), leading to her marriage to George Christopher Huggard.  On July 22, 1963, they welcomed Michele Maurey, into the family and on June 3, 1964, had Thomas "Tom" Russell. Sydney divorced George around 1965.  The family was also devastated when Sydney's mother JoeAnn passed away due to cancer on September 5, 1967.

Sydney worked as a schoolteacher at St. Mary's Catholic elementary school in Muskegon soon afterwards during a teacher shortage. A few years later, she became a Head Start teacher after moving to Holland, MI. She married William "Bill" Richards, and they subsequently had two children, William "Bill" Lee (b. June 3, 1970) and Patricia "Tricia" Kevan (b. January 27, 1973).  Sydney worked in various jobs during these years, including at Herman Miller furniture company and as a server at Billie's Boathouse restaurant in Saugatuck, MI.  After divorcing Bill Richards in 1979, and his subsequent death in an auto accident, she moved to Springdale, AR, with her children.  She worked in various jobs over the years and then moved to California in 1988 and then joined her son Tom in Spartanburg, SC, in the early 1990s.  She experienced major health problems during the late-1990s after many years of heavy cigarette smoking, surviving throat cancer, which resulted in the removal of her larynx, and colon cancer, which she also survived.

In about 2005, she moved into a home provided by her children in Bella Vista, AR, across the street from her father, Pete Flynn and stepmother, Jewel.  During her remaining 20 years, she lived in retirement, at times living with her daughter, Tricia and her granddaughters, Rylie Richards and Casie Mae Stout.  Syd was an avid reader and enjoyed long conversations about historical and contemporary topics.  She faced some of her substance abuse issues and lived a life of sobriety, becoming close with her children and enjoying a renewed life like her idyllic childhood.  She moved to Spring Meadows retirement home in Springdale, AR, in about 2019, living there alone, enjoying reading historical novels and her son Chris's publications.  She relished visits from her granddaughters, Rylie (and great-granddaughter Adelynn Jane McCarty) and Casie Mae and from her children.  Although she could be demanding, especially on her eldest daughter, Michele, who had become the Principal at Elmdale Elementary School in Springdale, she regularly bragged about Michele and her accomplishments and was loved deeply by her children and granddaughters.

In April 2025, her declining health resulted in several hospital stays and a final residence at Bradford House. The family is grateful for the wonderful care the nurses and other staff members gave her in the last couple of months of her life.  She was able to have loving visits in her last days with her four remaining children (Bill having passed away in 2022) and her beloved son-in-law, Dan Hutton.

Sydney is survived by two of her brothers, Will and Myles (brother Frank having passed away in 1988); her daughters, Tricia and Michele (and her spouse Dan Hutton); her sons, Tom and Chris (and his spouse Kay Pritchett); grandchildren, Rylie Richards, Casie Mae Stout, Beth Huggard, Rachel Alatza, and Wylee Lowhorn; and great-grandchildren, Adelynn Jane McCarty and Norah Alatza.

May Mom's long slumber be in peace.  Her children loved her deeply and are relieved that her health struggles are no longer causing her suffering.

The family would like to encourage anyone interested in making donations in her name, to make them to Elmdale Elementary School, Springdale, AR.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.