Barbara Leah Hicks
June 23, 1940 - May 25, 2009
Obituary
On a beautiful June day, the 23rd to be exact, of the year 1940, in Fort Collins, CO. a beautiful baby girl was born to Wanda and Gordon Simpson. So sure she was going to be born a ‘he’ it took several days for a proper name for their daughter to be chosen. She was named Barbara Leah Simpson.
While Barbara was a small child her father accepted a job in Seattle, WA at The Boeing Company, so up to the northwest they came.
The city of Renton, WA became their new hometown. Many fond memories for her were formed while living at what is lovingly referred to as ‘the house on 132nd St.’ She began piano lessons around the age of 6 and attended The Skyway United Methodist Church with her parents. As she grew she sang in the church choir.
While attending Renton High School she participated in the school choir, plays, and cruised the Renton Loop more than once! She graduated in 1958 and attended a college class or two.
Barbara enjoyed working at Kenworth for a time and at The Boeing Company for a short while, singing in the choir, playing piano, and going out dancing.
In the early 1960s Barbara met a handsome young soldier named Samuel Hicks, stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. They fell in love and got married in August of 1965.
They became parents for the first time during February 1966 bringing a sweet girl into this world, named Myrna.
During this time she enjoyed working in the tower at Seattle International Raceway on weekends when the dragster racing team her husband was part of the pit crew on was racing.
In 1972 Barb and Sam decided to become parents again and in trying for their 2nd child they had their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th children, bringing triplet boys into the world. These boisterous boys were named Sam, Dan, and Ed. Needless to say life was never the same.
Upon having a multiple birth Barbara became involved in the Valley Mothers of Multiples Club. A sanity saver!
Once the boys were a few years old and in day care, Barbara went back to work at United Graphics as a Sales Secretary. Around the age of 45 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. That, she beat! 1983 brought the death of her father, Gordon, from Parkinsons Disease. In 1990 her first grandchild was born. A boy named Jesse. In 1991 she was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. In 1992 her 2nd grandchild, a granddaughter named Brenna was born. 1995 brought the death of her Mother, Wanda. Granddaughter Olivia was born in 1999, Grandson Ethan in 2001, Granddaughter Evelyn in 2004 and Grandson Oscar in 2008.
Unfortunately in May of 2009 Parkinsons Disease once again caused this family grief by taking her life. Thankfully she passed peacefully with family present.
Some extra’s Barbara enjoyed were camping, singing, dancing, crocheting-remember the beer can hats from the 1970’s?, collecting- BUTTERFLIES, collecting art glass, blue glass, miniature clocks, turtles, etc., playing piano, being choir director at Skyway United Methodist Church, being a teacher/supervisor at Skyway Christian Learning Center, her collections, thriftstore treasure hunting, friends, & being a member of The Valley Mothers of Multiples Club.
With the voice of an angel Barbara is now singing in the greatest choir of all. She will be greatly missed by many.
May Barbara’s butterflies grace you with their presence throughout the rest of your lives.
Dear Barbara,
Moms of boys are special because we are given the enormous task of raising them up to be loving men,fathers,sons,brothers and friends. You did a fabulous job with yours and a few others that were blessed to know and be loved by you. I have known your wonderful men children for many years.I know how much you are respected and loved by them. They will miss you every day. Weren’t you lucky to have your daughter first and then to be blessed later on by your beautiful,kind,loving daughters-in-law? The love you created will sustain them as they grieve for you and that love will envelope them as they
raise their families without you. You did good.
Rest in Peace.
Sam,Karen, Dan, Lisa,Ed,Jackie, Myrna and families, my love and sympathy to you. They will be looking down on you so make them proud.
I have wonderful memories of my childhood and all of the special times at Skyway United Methodist Church. My parents were such close friends with Wanda and Gordon through the years and Barbara was always so kind and helpful to everyone. I’ll always have fond memories of Barbara leading the choir each Sunday. My sympathy to the family during this time of loss.
I spent most of my teenage years babysitting for Barb & Sam. Barb was a great friend and neighbor. I enjoyed chatting late into summer nights with her and helping at the raceway in the tower. Myrna was her joy and when the boys came she shined as she quickly organized our shifts to handle the abundant blessing. She was thrilled.
I am sorry I wasn’t able to keep in touch to know about all the changes later in her life but I am grateful for the laughter and guidance she provided.
May the Lord bless and keep her with him.
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother. May she be at peace with the Lord.
With caring thoughts,
Tosh and Tomi Mano
Dear Ones: This past week I have been reflecting so on the wonderful years I had with Barbara. We met at about 6 years old in Brownies, moved on through 4-H thanks to the help & patience of your grandmother, then a 6,000 mile car trip throughout the U.S. when Barbara and I were just 16. Barbara sang “On This Day Oh Beautiful Mother” at Bob and my wedding almost 49 years ago. People still tell me how beautiful that was. Unless you heard Barbara play “Flight of the Bumblebee” on the piano, you just didn’t grasp the meaning of that piece. It was outstanding. We also enjoyed a talent show in Jr. High School where she accompanied me in performing “Cinderella” What a joy. I was so honored when Barbara named her baby daughter as my namesake. She is, and always will be, so precious to me. The boys are also a special joy to everyone! I remember them best at about 1 year old when bottles and pacifiers were flying everywhere as the babies tried their hand at walking, dare I say running, throughout the house. Too precious and hysterical! I know that my dear friend is in a better place now, but how I will miss her. We are expecting company from Connecticut next week, so I will not be able to attend Barbara’s Memorial Service but know that my heart and thoughts are with you.
Loves ‘n hugs, Aunt Myrna
Barbara was an important part of my life at Skyway United Methodist Church. I have fond memories of Christmas carolling parties. She was a fun person with a generous spirit.
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family-Rest in peace Barbara.
May the love and Grace of God be with you and your Family at this time.We know your Mom will be sadly missed but she is at peace in the arms of Our Good Lord…
Love you All.Mom and Dad Blanchette
I am truly sorry for the loss of a wonderful woman. My prayers and condolences are with you and your family at this time. I am grateful to have met Barb and have wonderful memories of her from the time I lived in WA and saw her at family functions. May she live on in your memories and heart. Becky
I remember the Hicks family from when we were neighbors on Crestwood Drive and that was many years ago. Barb had a contagious laugh and an enormous love of life. What a wonderful, loving and patient woman! She taught us all many things. I was that little kid that played with Myrna on her swing set and we all sang songs while swinging. I helped my older siblings Susan, Rita and Janet babysit the triplets. I remember Barb holding a hula-hoop under her belly when she was pregnant with the boys and I remember teasing Sam about WHO was the best SIR driver…I voted Snake, he wanted Mongoose. I remember his old Super Bee car with the stripe down the hood. I remember the family dog Jo-Jo. We were all sad when the Hick’s family moved but they didn’t move far. And they certainly didn’t move far from our hearts either. Thank you all for being a special part of MY life. I have such fond memories. I wish I knew more people with such love and integrity. Barb, I am really going to miss you. May you always be smiling.
Our deepest thoughts and our prayers for the repose of the soul of BARBARA,our neighbor and friend.
She has done what we still have to do.
She is in a better place.
Frank & Attilia
Mom I love you and will miss you. Thanks for helping me be a good person and a good father. You taught me to have the ability to forgive, which is what love is. Thank you for that. I will in turn teach these same values to my children, to be kind, thouhgtful and to forgive. You did a great JOB!
Barbara was the epitome of a good neighbor. She cared deeply for all of our helath and safety,. The block watch team misses her.
Barbara, I knew you best through the three amazing sons you brought into this world. I know I speak for many when I say “Thank you.”
Deepest sympathies to Sam, Dan, Ed, Myrna, and all of your families.
Sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, your mother is in a much better place now and no longer has pain or suffering.
Your mom was a very specialgiving person- she loved her children and grandchildren very much. We will miss her laugh, smile and humor.
There are thousands of memories that I have of Barb – meeting her the first time on Crestwood. I traded babysitting services with Barb to learn to play the piano or to do crafts. Playing baseball on the street with the Barb and Sam – it’s there we 1st heard that they would be having triplets. When the boys came helping in any way we could from laundry, feeding or changing diapers or taking Myrna to the park to help out. She was so proud of her family.
Through the years she held my bridalaby shower and sewed the dress for my wedding reception. Always one to give of herself when she could.
Barb – be at peace.
Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for putting up with me when I was a pain in the butt. Thank you for giving me morals, patience, strength, and the ability to forgive. Thank you for “watching” Nightmare Theater on Ch. 7 @ 12:00 A.M. every Friday night and staying up with me long enough so I could fall asleep on the floor. Thank you for letting me snuggle in your bed while you took care of my earaches. Thanks for “tenderizing” my butt when I sat on that bee. Thanks for teaching me how to dance, drive, sew, cook, & thriftshop! Thank you for all the laughter. Thank you for teaching me that no matter what family comes first! I miss you. Until we see each other again. I love you.
Your mom was one of the supermoms of Valley MOMC. She was well loved and we will miss her very much. I will never forget when the triplets spoke at one of our meetings a very long time ago. They were sooo handsome. She was very very special in our hearts. My sorrows for her loss. Jo-Ann