Jolynn Koch Bricker
Jolynn Koch Bricker, age 70, of Mesa Arizona, died on Wednesday evening, September 25, 2024. Jolynn was born on October 13, 1953, daughter of Virginia and Joseph Koch. She married Larry Bricker in 1985. He proceeded her in death on March 4, 2022.
Jolynn was raised in Quincy, Il. She attended St. Francis Solanus Parochial School and graduated in 1971, from Quincy Notre Dame High School. Jolynn attended and graduated from Illinois State University, in 1975. During her senior year in college, Jolynn was an intern for the Parks and Recreation Department in Scottsdale, Arizona. She enjoyed her time there so much that she returned to Arizona after college and took a job as the Director of Recreation Activities for Awatukee Retirement Center. At Awahtukee she took great pride and joy in developing programs for active seniors for many years, until her retirement.
Jolynn was an accomplished swimmer and water polo player. She swam at Sheridan Swim Club in Quincy, then at Illinois State University and later in life, participated in Masters swimming in Arizona. Jolynn pursued many different types of athletic activities, including competing in body building and disco dancing. Her biggest passions in life were animals and she cherished her many dogs and truly enjoyed riding and caring for her horses.
Her life changed, when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This caused Jolynn increasing difficultly for at least the last 30 years of her life. Her husband, Larry, helped her fight this debilitating condition and live as actively as possible. Jolynn kept her mind sharp during this time and enjoyed when friends and family shared their own activities and adventures. Many caring individuals, including her devoted family, provided her with care over the years and she was able to stay in her own home until 2022.
Jolynn is survived by her loving Mesa Arizona family that includes stepson, Corrie Bricker and his wife Krista. Her grandchildren, Araelyn, Aiden, and Ethan Bricker. Her adopted daughter, Kimiyet Seaman and her husband Steve. Their four children and 9 additional adopted children. Cousins Ann Peterson, John Lammers and Bing Lammers. Jolynn will also be missed by some dear friends.
In addition to her husband, Jolynn was proceeded in death by her parents.
A Private Celebration of Jolynn’s Life will be celebrated at a later date.
This is Barb LeChaix a friend from the Ahwatukee Recreation Center (ARC). Jolynn and I arrived at the recreation center the same summer of 1978. I was a young member and she was the Activities Director. As was stated, she was a real force in the beginnings of the ARC. She started many of he programs that are still at the ARC today. We worked together all the time she was at the ARC. She became a very special friend and I continued to visit her as often as possible through the past 30 years. We had so many good times tubing Salt River, horseback riding, planning Crazy Olympics at the ARC and parasailing together during a Mexican Riviera Cruise. All during her struggles she had such a positive attitude and was so sharp. She could always remember names and happenings of the past. My only regret is that I did not get to visit her for our birthdays (hers on the 13th and mine on the 15th)..Those missed plans are sad for me, but I am so pleased that she is at peace and relieved from her struggles. I am blessed to have known her and shared in her life. I will miss our many conversations and I have such special memories.