Sylvia Dingman

Sylvia Mary Dingman, aged 83, passed away on July 27, 2026, with family by her side. She is now reunited with her beloved husband James C. “Buddy” Dingman. Sylvia was a proud mother to her three children, Sean (Cristin), Brooks (Janice), and Kara; devoted grandmother to her thirteen grandchildren, Dylan, Brittany, Maddie, Kyle, Sophie, Hank, Brianna, Brandy, Joseph, Sam, Lily, Tyler, and Charlie; and great-grandmother to Amelia.

Born September 1, 1942, in Buffalo, New York, to the late Charles and Sophie (Korona) Mentley. Sylvia and her younger brother Marc (Kaye) Mentley moved several times for their father’s job with General Motors before settling in East Detroit, Michigan. Sylvia was part of the first graduating class of Regina High School in Harper Woods, Michigan in 1960. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Detroit in 1964 and became an elementary school teacher.

It was at her very first job out of college that she met Buddy, the love of her life, and their adventure began. Their nearly six-decade marriage took them from living and working in Japan to countless road trips across nearly every state, travel abroad, and visits to see their children and grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Sylvia continued to grow and reinvent herself. Once her children started school, Sylvia went back to college and earned a degree in Applied Science from Macomb Community College. This career change brought the family to Rochester Hills, Michigan and ultimately to her job as a Computer Application & Data Architecture Specialist with Ford Motor Company. While at Ford, she also received her Masters in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University.

After 20 years with Ford, Sylvia retired and relocated with Buddy to the base of the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Known affectionately to her grandchildren as Grandma Luddy, she and Buddy basked in being grandparents. Their home was a base for hikes in the gorge, rock collecting and cold swims in the pool. It was also in Arizona that Sylvia became a Reiki Master. She taught Reiki courses at Mesa Community College, provided Reiki Master workshops at her home and created the Reiki Therapy Volunteer Program at Banner Baywood Heart Hospital. Eventually, Luddy and Buddy relocated to Diamond Springs California, to be closer to family.

Through her journey with cancer, she showed her strength, determination, and grace. She taught everyone around her the importance of taking just one step at a time and seeing where it takes you. Originally, given a prognosis of only a few months, this mindset gave Sylvia eight incredible years with the family. It allowed her family to spend time with her in California, learn more about her childhood, and celebrate family milestones, including the grandchildren’s high school graduations and several college graduations. We are forever grateful to the oncologists and staff at Marshall Oncology as well as the team at Prairie City Landing for their care and support to extend her time with us.

Sylvia will be remembered for her bright mind, quick wit, kind heart, and devotion to family. We are thankful for her lasting impact on our family and the incredible bonus time we had with her. Her legacy will live on through her surviving family members including her brothers-in-laws Jerry (Carol) Carafelly and Mike (Sharon) Dingman and her adored nieces and nephews.

This winter, the family will gather to celebrate Sylvia and spread both her and Buddy’s ashes on the Superstition Mountains. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sylvia’s name to Snowline Health at https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/snowline-hospice-of-el-dorado/donation-form