“Go to glory, girls!” was one of French teacher Pam Dykes’ signature phrases, always delivered with a smile before a quiz. In remembering her this week, this phrase and other memories of Dykes have resurfaced in the school halls as evidence of Dykes’ lasting impact on her students.

Dykes passed away on Nov. 6 after a 14 month fight against blood cancer. She is survived by her husband and two children.

Although current freshmen and sophomores may not know Dykes, she taught at Sion for over 20 years, passing on her love of French to more than a generation of students. She also left a lasting impact on other faculty and staff, inspiring French teacher Liz Bono with her positivity and strength even in while undergoing treatment.

“She had such a colorful, dynamic way about her,” Bono said. “She truly gave her heart to her job.”

Her students also fondly remember her positivity, appreciating her kind words and patience even when they were just beginning to learn the language.

“We couldn’t even make sentences yet,” senior Elizabeth Burnham said. “But she was still so encouraging whenever we asked for help.”

Staff and students are invited to pay their respects at Dykes’ visitation, which will be held Friday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. at Porter Funeral Home in Lenexa, Kansas, followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. All are encouraged to write notes to Dykes’ family in the chapel or on a visual memorial in the cafeteria.

“Students going to the service would show how loved she is at Sion,” Burnham said. “It would show how many lives she touched.”