Barbara Lutz Sidebottom

On January 30, 2025 the sunshine in the lives of her family and many close friends greatly darkened with the passing of Barbara (Barb) Ann Sidebottom. She was the most devoted wife to her husband of 27 years; a loving Mother, Grammy and Mother-in-Law for her precious daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law; and a caring Stepmom and grandmother to her stepfamily. For her many old friends, quilting friends and new friends she was always generous, supportive and empathic. The lives of all who knew and loved her are greatly diminished by her passing.

 Barb was born on June 13, 1957 in Plattsburgh, NY to Donald R. and Elizabeth Emma Lutz. Her father was an Air Force officer, so she moved with her parents and sister, Joanne, to Japan, then Rochester NY before finally settling in Colorado Springs CO. She attended Catholic schools throughout her secondary education, graduating from Benet Hill Academy for girls in 1975. At 16 years old she began working parttime with her mother for a local travel agency providing travel services for guests of the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs and continued full time after graduation. She married George Censner of Colorado Springs in 1978 and they welcomed their only child, Melissa, on April 1, 1984. After their divorce she became the corporate travel agent for Loral Communication in Colorado Springs and that is where she met her future husband, Wayne Sidebottom, whom she married In June 1997.

 Barb later received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, Magna Cum Laude (she was really smart), in May 2001 from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She developed a large circle of quilting friends over the years and she became a very talented and prolific quilter, completing many beautiful quilts. When Melissa had daughter, Emma, in April 2016, Barb and Wayne moved to Burlington so she could be a part of Emma’s life. Without question, the last eight years were among the best of her too short life.

Barb is survived by her husband Harold (Wayne) Sidebottom; daughter Melissa Bowie, granddaughter Emma Bowie and son-in-law T J Bowie; stepdaughter Diane Sidebottom; stepdaughter Kris Sidebottom and husband Paul Wheeler; step granddaughter Jessica Sidebottom; sister Joanne Mott and husband Stephen Mott; niece Monica Murphy and husband Ryan; and nephew Stephen Mott and wife Amanda.

For those who are interested, in lieu of flowers, you may consider donating to one of Barb’s three favorite charities. They are The Alzheimer’s Association, the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), or Benet Hill Monastery of Colorado Springs CO.

 A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 4:00PM at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Dan Goad. The family will receive friends following the service.