Sydney Marlene Denninghoff

Sydney Marlene (Buster) Denninghoff of Columbia, MO was surrounded by family when she passed away on September 29, 2012, after battling a lengthy illness. She was 60 years old.
Sydney was born in Kirksville, MO on May 25, 1952 to Jackie and Rowena (Lynch) Buster of Graysville, MO. She attended rural schools in Martinstown and Graysville, MO before graduating from Unionville High School, Unionville, MO in 1970. Following graduation, Syd attended Northeast Missouri State University where she completed her B.S. in Nursing in 1974. Prior to graduating from nursing school, Syd began her career at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital before moving to Columbia in 1975.
Sydney’s career path took her to various locations, where her caring nature left a lasting impression on all those that were fortunate enough to have known her. In addition to Missouri, she also worked in Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Mississippi.
In Columbia, where she became affectionately known as “Surgery Syd,” she held various positions at the University Hospital and Institute of Outpatient Surgery as well as Boone Hospital, before she retired from nursing in 2000. During her career, she worked with Dr. Charles Barbee, Dr. Winston Harrison, Dr. Howard Smith and Dr. Kim Jamison. She also worked as a nurse at the Missouri Department of Corrections in Jefferson City for several years.
On March 22, 2000, Sydney and Dr. James S. Denninghoff were united in marriage. They made their home and shared their lives together just outside of Columbia, where Syd gardened and tended to her chickens under the ever watchful eyes and constant companionship of their dogs, Sage and Remy. Syd and Jim also journeyed to Mexico together, providing volunteer medical services to those in need.
Wherever her travels took her, Syd was highly regarded in the work place. She was always willing to lend a hand and go the extra mile for the benefit of those in her care. Countless co-workers were positively influenced by her high expectations and compassion.
Syd was known for her kindness, which often came in the form of a big care package containing things that the recipient did not yet know they needed. Family and friends greatly appreciated her advice, wisdom and generosity.
Sydney is survived by her parents, Jackie and Rowena Buster of Graysville, MO; husband Dr. James S. Denninghoff of Columbia, MO and his children Sarah, Joanna, Molly and Will; father in law Dr. James Denninghoff and wife Lucille; sister Georgia and husband Stan Varner of Fayette, MO; brother Harlan Bradley Buster and wife, Dana, of Kirksville, MO; and sister Autumn Buster of Buffalo Grove, IL. Also surviving are two nieces, Cody Varner and Daylee Buster and one nephew, Bacardy Buster; aunts Carlene Hatfield, Ann Wilcox, Elaine Kramer and uncle Bob Buster and wife Crystal also survive.
Syd was preceded in death by her grandparents Carl and Lemma Lynch and Jack and Reta Buster, aunt Ramona (Lynch) McBee and uncles Dale Hatfield and Joe Kramer and mother-in-law Eloise Denninghoff.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 3rd at the Playle & Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO from 6-8 pm concluding with a brief memorial service at 8:00 pm. The date for a memorial service to be held in Columbia, MO, will be announced soon.
A memorial has yet to be determined.