Sydelle Rickman

1935 - 2023

Rickman, Sydelle
ALBANY - Sydelle Rickman, 88, a lifelong resident of Albany died peacefully on Thanksgiving morning, November 23, 2023, in the comfort of her own home.
Born in Albany on March 12, 1935, Sydelle was the younger daughter of the late Joseph and Fay Greenstein. Because her name was so original and beautiful, Fay and Joe decided no middle name was needed. Sydelle was raised in Albany where she resided in a home filled with the love of her parents and big sister Harriet and directly above her aunts, uncles, and beloved cousins. Sydelle attended Albany City schools where she played cello in the school orchestra. Later in life, Sydelle attended art classes at The College of Saint Rose. She worked for New York State for many years, first with the Department of Civil Service, then with the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC) where she loved being the assistant to Ray Faulkner, and lastly with the Department of Labor. Sydelle loved warmth and sunshine. For many years, she enjoyed spending winter months in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. with her husband, Lawrence. The two also enjoyed summer vacations on Moody Beach in Maine with their children and grandchildren. Sydelle was a voracious reader and an avid Yankees fan. Sydelle had so much artistic talent and spent many years painting beautiful pictures and creating and addressing invitations in calligraphy for special occasions around the Capital District.
Sydelle was the devoted wife of 59 years to Lawrence B. "Larry" Rickman. In addition to her husband, Sydelle is survived by her daughters, Laura Hosford (Matthew) of Delmar and Wendi Rickman (Jonathan Broth) of Glen Ridge, N.J.; her beloved grandchildren, Merrick and Phoebe Hosford, Sabrina Broth and Tyler Conway; her sister and brother-in-law, Alvin and Patricia Rickman, and several nieces and nephews to whom she was like a second mother. Sydelle was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Fay Greenstein; and her sister, Harriet Lerner, and brother-in-law, Gardner Lerner.
Sydelle's family is eternally grateful to the amazing women who have cared for her with dedication, love, and compassion for the last several years, Oneika Miller, Claudia Hutchinson, Donnett Miller, Amy Dixon, and Angela Reed.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 26, at 1 p.m. at the Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Ave., Albany. Interment will follow in The Beth Abraham Jacob Cemetery, 1620 Western Ave., Guilderland. Funeral services will be livestreamed and may be viewed by "Liking" the Levine Memorial Facebook page.
Contributions in Sydelle's memory may be made to Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York (JFSNENY), 184 Washington Ave., Albany, NY, 12203.
For shiva times or to leave a message of condolence for the family online please visit LevineMemorialChapel.com.