Patricia Wickham "Colleen" Sparks

A life well lived!
It is with great sadness that the family of Patricia Colleen Wickham Sparks (85) announces her passing on September 27, 2024.
Colleen was born on March 17, 1939, in Louisville KY to Stephen and Ella Wickham (nee Meyer). Colleen, affectionately known as Sparky, will be sorely missed by so many. Her humor and energetic spirit were infectious and inspirational.
A graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, Colleen continued her education at the University of Kentucky. During her time there she was also a loyal member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
Colleen and her husband Paul Sparks were married for forty- three years. They were devout Kentucky Wildcat fans, never missing a basketball game!
Colleen was a lifelong educator and started her career teaching at Shawnee Middle School. She spent the majority of her career at Kentucky County Day School where she taught mathematics and also coached field hockey. After her retirement, she continued to substitute teaching and tutor. She loved her students and being an educator.
She was a consummate friend and put great effort into maintaining her friendships throughout the decades. Colleen volunteered and organized parties for all occasions at the retirement home of her beloved nuns that had taught her in school. She was involved in many groups and organizations including Sacred Heart Academy Alumnae Association and the Louisville ADPi Alumnae Association, where she hosted the annual May Founder's Day celebration for many years. Colleen's passion was golf and her favorite place was on the golf course. She was a member of Hunting Creek Country Club. She was a proficient and avid golfer and was famous for matching her nail polish and her golf clubs.
Colleen loved her family and celebrated many holidays and Derby Days on the family farm in Pewee Valley, KY. She leaves behind a legacy to admire and a hole in many lives that will never be filled.
Colleen was predeceased by her husband Paul Sparks, her sister Mary Ellen Harrison, her nephews William Read Gibson and Stephen Wickham Gibson, and her cousin Arthur Meyer. She is survived by her niece Ellen Gibson Atherholt (Mark Atherholt ), Colleen Murtha,(Breandan)(Ryleigh Ella Murtha) Kurt Atherholt, Kyle Atherholt, Brian Atherholt, and Robert Meredith Gibson.
Colleen's Celebration of Life will be held at Hunting Creek Country Club, 6807 Foxcroft Road, Prospect, on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, from 2-5 PM. Please feel free to write down a memory or story about Colleen to bring for a book to be printed at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Oldham County Humane Society, 2601 Interior Way, LaGrange KY 40031.