Jeanne "Jeannie" Marie Hicks

Jeanne “Jeannie” Marie Hicks (nee LaBarre), passed away on August 6, 2023 at Dell Seton Hospital in Austin, Texas. She was 83. Jeannie will be remembered for her vivacious and ebullient spirit, big-heartedness, and abounding love for her family and friends. She had a pious devotion to the Catholic faith and unmatched zest for life.

Jeannie was born in Minneapolis, on August 9, 1939, the oldest of three siblings. She spoke of her youth in Minnesota as a magical time surrounded by extended family. She loved the changing seasons, playing in the snow, and visiting her cousins in Granite Falls. Jeannie's family moved to Eugene, Oregon in 1950 when she was 11. From an early age, Jeannie was bright, adventurous, and fun-loving. She excelled in school, and by necessity learned about hard work and helped to support her family. During school vacations, she and her siblings picked beans, and at one point she worked night shifts in a beet canning facility.

Jeannie graduated from St. Francis High School in 1957, and headed to college. She found her true calling as an elementary teacher, studied at Oregon College of Education in Monmouth, and graduated in 1961. She got her first job teaching 3rd grade near San Jose, CA in what is now Silicon Valley. Jeannie loved her students and became fast friends with other young teachers and professionals. She delighted in being part of a fun-loving and freewheeling community at her courtyard apartment. Her extroverted and out-going qualities grew stronger, and she developed lifelong friendships during this time.

While faithfully sending a check to her mother every month, Jeannie saved enough money to take a trip to Hawaii with friends. There she met Dick Hicks, a young veteran and IBM salesman who was also on vacation. Dick asked her to dance, and the two experienced an immediate connection. Discovering that they both lived in California, Dick and Jeannie continued to see each other when they returned to the mainland. They managed to set up their friends Sheryl and Milt who also hit it off, and the four of them had some great times and adventures together. Jeannie and Dick decided to get married and tied the knot on August 3, 1968.

In 1970, Jeannie and Dick welcomed a son, Matt, and in 1973, celebrated the arrival of a daughter, Suzie. Jeannie retired early from teaching to focus on raising her young family and supporting Dick, who was climbing the ladder at IBM. Dick's success meant a series of cross-country moves for the family that were both challenging and character-building. Jeannie's role in these moves was pivotal; she had to emotionally support the children through the transition, prepare the house for sale, physically move, find a place to live at the destination, and re-establish life, relationships and services on the other side. This process was repeated six times, sometimes with only a year in between.

With all these challenges, Dick and Jeannie proved a remarkable team. He taking on leadership roles and responsibility first for branch offices, then for entire regions; and she taking care of the home front, raising children, and maintaining houses, services, and schedules. They shared a love of people, gatherings, and festivities. Jeannie’s gracious hospitality was legendary. She had.a gift for making celebrations deeply personal and memorable.

When her children left the nest, Jeannie threw her heart into her church, volunteer work, and extended family. She worked with the Little Sisters of the Poor, which provided room, board, and skilled nursing care for people who are elderly and disadvantaged. She deepened her personal devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and made several pilgrimages to Medjugorje in Bosnia. She and Dick maintained an active social calendar attending plays, traveling and sharing meals and volunteer activities with friends. When her son Matt and daughter-in-law Laura had children, Gavin and Genevieve, Jeannie showered them with love, just as she had her own children. In later years, Jeannie and Dick moved to Austin, Texas to be close to their daughter Suzie and son-in-law Scott.

Jeannie leaves behind her husband, Richard Hicks, her daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Scott Grantham, her grandchildren Gavin and Genevieve, their mother, Laura Lindsey Omstead, brother Jerome LaBarre, and sister Marianne LaBarre; and a large extended family and circle of friends. She is preceded in death by her mother Mary Ann LaBarre, and son, Matthew Hicks.

Jeannie’s memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 17 at 10:00 am, at Emmaus Catholic Church at 1718 Lohmans Crossing Rd, Lakeway, TX 78734.

In lieu of flowers, we would request that you send donations to the Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Joseph's Home in Palatine, Illinois. https://www.littlesistersofthepoorpalatine.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishlaketravis.com for the Hicks family.