Sydney Ann Bentley Hoy passed away on December 18, 2017 at St. Peters’ Hospital surrounded by three generations of her family. Her room was often crowded with family and friends. She will be always remembered as Gramma Sydney. She was 97 years young.
Sydney was born on August 2, 1920. She spent parts of her childhood in Portland Oregon. Sydney moved with her family to their Montana mountain mining claim. One memory of childhood was riding a horse to town to visit friends. Her girlhood chores included sluicing for gold and hauling water. She moved to Helena where she attended Central School and Helena High where along with her lifelong friend, Grace McCullough, attended classes in railway box cars.
Sydney was a fearless, professional level roller-skater in her youth. She could pick up a handkerchief on the floor with her teeth while being swung by her legs in circles. She was invited to New York City and if there had been roller-skating in the Olympics, she would have tried out.
She chose to stay and started her life with Charles (Charlie) D. Hoy. They were married on April 21, 1939 in Boulder, MT. They moved to Savana, Georgia while Charlie was in the Army Air Corp during World War II. They also lived in Albuquerque, NM. But her home was in Montana. They had four children during their life together. She said Charlie never lost his sense of humor even during his extended illness. They were married for 50 years at the time of his death.
Sydney had an interesting work history including an operator for a Telephone Company, a dispatcher for the Helena Cab Company, St. John’s Hospital, and the State Auditor’s Office. She then spent her time caring for her grandchildren, her neighbors, driving her friends on errands, and walking with her beloved dogs Chips and Hi-Chi. Sydney was a lifelong member of the Helena Disabled Veterans.
Sydney was a fiercely independent person who relished life her own way. She painted her house pink and it remains pink to this day. She lived in her lifelong home until she suffered a stroke on December 14th. She loved dandelions honestly more than roses. She liked most people, but all dogs. She was a fashion oriented person and liked to wear her fancy clothes, jewelry, hats, and scarves. She did not care for material possessions except her family home. You could not leave her home without a “gift” of any sort (including regifting.) She gave away her jewelry, foods in her frig, and anything she thought you might like. She handed out boxes of Parrot candy after her stroke to some of those who visited her.
Family was her greatest cherished gift. She is survived by her: Children: Danny Hoy in Polson, Jere Hoy in Helena (Kay), Charlea Sherman in Washington (David), and Patrick Hoy (Robin Suzor) in Helena. Grandchildren: Duane Hoy, Dwight Hoy (Cheri), Dirk Hoy (Rachel), Dominick Hoy (April), Brandon Hoy, Kevin Hoy (Nicole) Karin Zandi (Steve), Julianne Stephens (James), Mike Austin (Rachel), Kyle Sherman, Sarah Yancy (Preston), and Tyrel Suzor Hoy. Great grandchildren: Dallas Hoy (Matt), Tanner Hoy, Christopher Kramer (Haylee), Samantha Hoy (Tag), Dillon Hoy, Josh Hoy, Dalton Hoy, Allison Hoy, Jennifer Hoy, Andre Hoy, Samantha Hoy, Kodiak Zandi, Colter Zandi, Levi Zandi, Avery Stephens, Alyssa Stephens, Levi Austin, Nathanial Gruel, Tara Yancy, Heather Yancy, Amanda Yancy. Great Great Grandchildren: Presley Lynn Barbee and Paisley. She had a special relationship with Catherine Corcoran (Jake) and twins Kodi Corcoran, and Danick Corcoran and Kara Kellogg (McCurry).
Sydney is preceded in death by her husband Charlie, parents Jesse Bristol and Leone Judd Bentley, her sister Barbara, brother Bristol Bentley, Great Grandson Alexander Stephens and her beloved dogs.
The family will receive friends from 3-6 pm on Thursday, December 28th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home located at 3750 North Montana Avenue, Helena MT. A ceremony will be held at Fort Harrison Veterans Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Sydney are suggested to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604.
We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the staff on the medical floor at St. Peter’s Hospital, especially Dr. Evans and Dr. Harrison; Nurses-Nicki, Steve, and Mandy. They gave Sydney the care and respect she needed.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Sydney.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday December 28, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
3:00 p.m.
Friday May 25, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Friday May 25, 2018
Fort Harrison Service Club
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday December 28, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
3:00 p.m.
Friday May 25, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Friday May 25, 2018
Fort Harrison Service Club
Helena, Montana 59602
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Rosemary & Joe Beason says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jere and family.
Mary & Curt Weiler says
We will miss our sweet Sydney. We loved having her as our neighbor and dear friend. What wonderful conversations we had with a lovely lady.
Pat Hoy says
Sydney was a fantastic mother and will surely be missed by all that met her. She had friends from all age groups and kept everyone of them entertained with conversations from past experiences to future endeavors. I’ll miss sitting with her and talking about anything and everything. She always had a cold beer for her friends and a warm heart for all.