Maycel J. Richards

Maycel Judy Richards, 68, passed away suddenly Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at her home in Sidney, Nebraska.


Memorial services for Maycel will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the First United Methodist Church in Sidney, with the Rev. Thomas Hyde officiating followed by inurnment at Greenwood Cemetery.


Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation at the funeral home, friends who wish can sign the register book on Monday at the Holechek Funeral Home.

A memorial in her name has been established to the Western Nebraska Community College Endowment Fund.

Born in Sidney, Neb., October 2, 1945, as one of three daughters of Gordon (Shorty) and Alice Dale Richards, Maycel was a long-time resident and active member of the community. A lifelong learner who valued education, she graduated from Sidney High School, attended Western Nebraska Community College where she achieved an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and garnered her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Chadron State College.

Maycel married Allen (Butch) McGee and the couple had three children – Troy, Tammy and Marcella, who they raised from their home in Sidney.

A career-minded woman who set challenging goals and worked hard to achieve them, Maycel began her career as a typist at the Sidney Telegraph, before working her way to the Society Page Editor. She went on to work in the public relations and community services fields at Educational Service Unit #14, Western Nebraska Community College, Nebraska Department of Labor Development, and Chadron State College. At the time of her death, she was working in Cabela’s Brand Development Department.

As important as work was to Maycel, so was her service to the community. Maycel was a member of several business and professional women’s associations, community development and task forces and state and national service organizations. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority, the Ladies Chamber of Commerce, and was a past Worthy Matron in the Order of Eastern Star.


Maycel enjoyed photography, camping, gardening and traveling, having spent time in Europe where she particularly enjoyed Italian culture. She also loved spending time with her family and grandchildren and looked forward to annual family reunions with extended family members.

Maycel Judy Richards is survived by her children: Troy (Amanda) McGee of League City, Texas; Tammy (Craig) Newburn, and Marcella (Mark) Thompson of Sidney; grandchildren: Tanessa Steffens, Trevor Nolde and Marlo McGee; one sister: Rilla (Wendell) Draper of Gurley, Neb.; nieces and nephews: Curtis Carey, Brad Golden, Leigh (George) Niekum, Brandon (Elizabeth) Draper and David Draper; along with numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Reta Golden and nephew Gordon Carey.

Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Sidney is serving Maycel’s family.