– Jack Thorne
Our dear mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Lucia Hicks , went to be with Jesus on January 7th, 2021. And fortunately, Lucia’s life will also never leave us. She left a legacy with too many memories to count or share for this purpose. Some people are remembered by something they believed in or something they did. But for her friends and family, she will always be remembered for her questions. Questions such as “You know what I’m saying?”, “What are we going to do?” and “Where are we going?”
Those of us who knew her well can even hear the inflection of her voice and see her large eyes open wide, framed by those raised eyebrows. There are many more questions she asked such as “Are you serious?” and “can you imagine?” but for the purposes of honoring her here, we will reflect on the first three. These first three questions reveal not only what she did with life, but also what mattered to her most.
Whenever Lucia met people, she wanted to know all about them. And she did not hold back. This remarkable woman who was born on December 10, 1951 in Laredo, Texas to Jose Perez and Dora Mata Perez, filled rooms with infectious laughter and the desire to know who you were. And you would leave knowing her as well. Her two daughters, Jeanette Baldwin and Marlys Lazar, always knew they had better call Mom and give accounts of their day and information on her grandchildren, Marlys Baldwin, Ella Baldwin and Gideon Lazar. Carefully crafted comments providing advice on all matters were always poured upon us. Her family and grandchildren were her world. She would always say that she lived for her kids, and she did. She wanted an intimate relationship with us all, and that included you…“You know what I’m saying?”
As a military wife with two daughters to raise for twenty plus years, Lucia knew how to plan. Everything we did as a family was conducted by a plan (often in her head and not yet revealed to us), but it always went her way. Our business was HER business. If you decided to veer off course from her plan, you had better be ready with a good reason. Those plans and prior thinking always benefitted the guest. You would be welcomed in and promptly supplied your favorite beverage. It was this desire to know what we were all going to do that led her to be the best host ever. She deeply cared about everyone. We know this personally from the many nieces that have called to expressed how caring Mom was. Comments such as, “Your mom was so caring and kind”, to “She took care of me and gave me what I needed. “ Her steadfast love was also demonstrated through her 36- year long friendship with Esther Gonzales. Esther was treated like family and Lucia included her in every part of her world. So, when you ponder your week ahead, remember Lucia asking, “What are we going to do?”
Lucia’s favorite activity was eating out. And boy, was she a foodie! From escargot, to caviar to carpaccio, she would relish in it all. But only with one requirement…someone as adventurous as her would need to go along. God granted that wish with her daughters and 3 grandchildren. From sushi outings to the latest culinary delight, Mom would want to try it. Sometimes she would become agitated about the wait staff and we would ask her to relax. For if she were in charge, no one would wait. Everyone would receive what they wanted. In order to calm Lucia down, we would ask, “Where are we going, Mom?” She would then remember it did not matter at that moment and focus on the company and the meal.
Do you see the common denominator? Mom, Lucia, Nanny or Aunt Lucia cared about you. She cared about how you felt in the moment. She cared about what you were up to and she cared enough for you to know that she loved you. She wanted to know where you were going in life. Her life, led by these questions, revealed that. Mom wanted to know because Mom cared.
A week before Mom passed, she asked, “Where are we going?”
”You are going to Heaven to rest, Mom.”
With a smile, Mom replied, “Are you serious?”
“Yes, Mom. Can you imagine?”
Lucia Hicks leaves her daughter, Jeanette Baldwin and husband, Robin Baldwin; daughter Marlys Lazar and husband Joshua Lazar; grandchildren Marlys Baldwin, Ella Baldwin and Gideon Lazar. She is also survived by her siblings, Samuel Perez, Emilia Niemela, Nora Sapien, Diannie Garcia and Francisco Perez.
She was preceded in death by her parents Jose Maria Perez and Dora Mata Perez and siblings, Jose Maria Perez Jr. and Israel Perez.
Lucia passed into God’s arms surrounded by her family and best friend, Esther Gonzales.
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