"I am very late in learning of Dr. Dickey's passing. Dr. Dickey was my piano teacher during my tenure. She and David were good friends throughout my time in Upland. As a piano teacher, she was a amazing communicator of artistic sensibility and advocate of strong technique. She oozed musicality and nurtured it in her students. Conversations were so interesting and challenging (one had to keep up with her intelligent mind). I have so many memories of visits to her some since I left Upland. I'm so thankful to have known her."
In loving memory of
Barbara C. Dickey, PhD
April 16, 1935 - November 30, 2013
Upland: Dr. Barbara C. Dickey, PhD, 78, died Saturday evening, November 30, 2013, in West Minster Village, Muncie. She was born in Lexington, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Jamie and Naomi Christine (Parkhurst) Carruth. Mrs. Dickey graduated from Asbury College in 1957, earned her Masters Degree from the University of Michigan in 1961and moved to Upland in 1961, where she was a Professor of music at Taylor University, specializing in piano and fine arts. She went on to earn her PhD from Indiana University in 1969. She retired from Taylor in 2003. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Muncie. Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Christie L. Ernest Otter, II, Livonia, MI; a nephew, L. Ernest Otter, III; and a niece, Dr. Kelly Otter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David C. Dickey, on March 23, 2000. Memorials may be made to the Taylor University Music Department, 236 W. Reade Avenue, Upland, Indiana, 46989. Visitation: 1-4 pm, Saturday, December 7, 2013, Jones-Smith Funeral Home, 259 N. Main St., Upland, Indiana A memorial recital will be held at a later date.
Tributes
"Barbara's love for the arts and intellectual integrity were a model for Christian higher education. She was serious about her work but readily enjoyed funny stories. Barbara's qualities left a very strong impression on all who knew her. We were glad to have been in that company, and thank God for what she contributed to us and to Taylor University. The love of the arts she and David shared greatly enriched the lives of their friends and their community. Regrettably we were not able to go to the visitation for Barbara, but hope to attend the memorial concert--such a fitting tribute to her."
"My appreciation of Barbara Dickey extends almost a lifetime. At age 87, I vividly remember spending childhood vacation time with my grandparents in Wilmore, Kentucky. Their front yard faced the back yard of the Carruth home on the next street. I remember a vivacious and uniquely talented Barbara and later enjoyed interaction with her delightful younger sister Christie. That contact continued in Barbara's high school years through mutual contact with close Asbury friends Jim and June Young. Jim taught Barbara in both high school and college. The Youngs, Barbara, and mutual Asbury friend Lorraine Dillon (now Long) later joined me at Taylor University, and our lifetime friendships have continued. In addition to faculty and friendship associations, Barbara, her husband David, and my husband Albert and I often enjoyed finding antiques and unique items at Saturday auctions. As our health has declined, our contacts have been less frequent but are remembered with gratitude. I regret that personal illness prevents my coming to the visitation."
"My condolences to the family. Dr. Dickey was my fine arts professor at Taylor in the early 70s."
"Babs, I have enjoyed the times we had, however limited and brief. You are a true lover and defender of all things beautiful, prudently reverent in matters of significance, and wonderfully critical of anything less than what it should be. I am so happy to think of the wonder that now fills your eyes as you gaze upon the fulfillment of all that is true in aesthetics."
"I have appreciated your talents over the years. Thanks for sharing your gift as a pianist."