Carolyn Ann Hicks
It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear sister Carolyn on January 18, 2022, at the age of 57 years old. She will be deeply missed by her brothers Geoff Hicks (Cindy); Randall Hicks (Wendy) and her beloved niece Claire Hicks. Carolyn was predeceased by her parents, Madeleine and Harold Hicks, her younger brother Daniel Hicks, her aunts Monique Spencer, Rita Bienvenue and Joyce Hanson, her uncles Ken Spencer, Robert (Bob) North and Don Leier, and her cousin Cameron North.
Carolyn was born in 1964 in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Following family moves to Edmonton, Brandon and then Winnipeg, she attended Kelvin High School in Winnipeg and went on later to earn her degree in the photographic arts at Ryerson University in Toronto.
Carolyn spent most of her adult life battling Lupus but she never let it affect her joy for life or extinguish her creative abilities. After university she started a professional career in photography in Vancouver, and then a successful original art greeting card business, Mama Needs a New Pair of Shoes, that eventually specialized in personalized wedding invitations and innovative niche markets.
Carolyn grew up near to all her aunts, uncles and cousins on her dad’s side and a wonderful tradition of biannual summer family reunions with all the aunts, uncles and cousins on her mom’s side. So many joyful summer and winter road trips to Yellowstone, Vancouver, Banff, Pemberton, Waskesiu, Riding Mountain and of course, the many summers at Pelican Lake.
Through this all she wove a strong family fabric and lifelong friendships that were often the heart of her daily life.
Topping Carolyn’s list of cherished traditional family gatherings was her Aunt Denise’s annual Seafood Dinner and the regular canned salmon and goodies drop-off. Her greatest adventures included tripping around Europe and a modern art tour of Manhattan with her Aunt Rita. The latter coincided with the events of 9/11. Following the many hours of horror everyone experienced that day, we found out they were safe. They discovered that cousin John Meyer was also visiting in Manhattan and they were able to join up that same day and comfort each other over dinner. Carolyn was never far from a best friend or family.
Carolyn was known for her rich laugh, a better snort that often followed and an even better “knowing smirk” -- a trait she surely got from her dad, and her Grandmother Harriet. She enriched the lives of everyone around her. She was a free spirit doing things her own way in life and in death. We will miss her deeply.
We send our thanks to the many health professions that allowed her to thrive as her lupus progressed. Notably Dr. Rhonda Shuckett who helped navigate these waters with Carolyn for over 30 years.
A private family service will be held with a Celebration of Life to follow at a later date. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent the BC Lupus Society (www.bclupus.org).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountPleasantFuneral.com for the Hicks family.
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