Maurina Brenda Lewis Hickman, 89, a longtime resident of Grand Junction, Colorado passed away May 1, 2021 at Hope West Hospice. She was born on November 27, 1931 in Miles City, Montana to Geneva and Francis Lewis.
She grew up on a sheep ranch with her parents and two brothers until the age of three when her mother died at the age of 29. Her father was wheel chair bound with polio and rather than put his daughter in an orphanage, sent her to live with his brother’s family in Casey, Iowa. She lived with them until she graduated from high school as the valedictorian of her class. After graduation, she moved to Des Moines, Iowa and found a job as a telephone operator. It was when she was waiting at the bus stop to go to work, that her future husband, Ray Hickman saw her through the window of his apartment and declared that was the woman he was going to marry. They married on March 4, 1951.
Maurina had the soul of an artist. While she stayed home to raise her four children, she also educated herself by reading, making everything around her beautiful, sewing, painting oils and watercolors. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and participated by decorating the church altar, working at the bazaar, going to wilderness campouts with the Methodist Youth Fellowship group, attending the New Day Discussion group and in later years attending the senior Sunday school class. She was also a longtime member of Toastmasters and Director of Epochs for Job’s Daughters Bethel number 30. She also acted in melodramas as well as sewing the costumes. Whatever she participated in, she gave it her all.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Arlen and Leland Lewis and her husband of 69 years, Ray. She is survived by her children; Mark Hickman (Lori), Lauri Cushing (Steve), Sheri Hickman (John Brazelton), Brian Kimsey- Hickman (Missy), 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. August 25, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church 522 White Avenue. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church.
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