Shirley J. Hicks (nee Loyns)
Posted By Sobering Funeral Chapel On November 24, 2023 @ 10:13 am In Obituaries | 6 Comments
May 11, 1936 – November 22, 2023
Our beloved wife and mother Shirley Hicks (Loyns) passed away peacefully on November 22 at the age of 87. Shirley was a wonderful wife and mother who was always there when we needed her. She had many friends from all walks of life, and was a well-loved member of each of the communities she lived in. Her life, spent most recently in Beausejour and previously in Leaf Rapids, Manitoba was long and filled with laughter.
Born in Carman, Manitoba, Mom got her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Pedagogy degrees at United College (now University of Winnipeg) and began her teaching career in Rivers, Manitoba. There she met the love of her life, Bill, and shortly thereafter started a family with him as he pursued his own degrees at the University of North Dakota. Their adventurous spirit took them north from Brandon to Cranberry Portage, then further north to the new community of Leaf Rapids.
Upon retirement, Mom and Dad relocated to Beausejour where they lived until recently, enjoying their sled dogs and frequent visits from their children and grand-children. Weekends on their acreage and Sunday dinners involved time outdoors, excellent food and a great deal of laughter.
Mom was a lifelong believer in the power of education and the importance of reconciliation and social justice, particularly food security and homelessness. An excellent and highly respected high school English teacher, after retirement Shirley volunteered at the adult literacy centre in Beausejour. She gave countless hours of service as food coordinator for the Beausejour Food Bank. As an environmentalist, she spearheaded the first recycling depot north of the 56th parallel. Mom’s values were reflected in action and service for others.
Mom is survived by her devoted husband Bill, her children Bruce (Tracy), Mike (Pam), David (Debbie) and Alison (Jamie); her grandchildren Reeve, Drake, Will, Madeleine, Anais, Simon and Emalee; and her great-grandchildren Greyson and Maxine.
A memorial service will be held in Mom’s honor in Beausejour, MB at Sobering Funeral Chapel (1035 Park Avenue East) on Sunday, December 3rd at 1 pm.
The family wishes to thank staff at St. Boniface Hospital, Riverview Hospital and Grace Hospice for their incredible kindness and respect while providing care.
We invite you to make a donation to Indspire.ca (note the spelling) or Harvest Manitoba in place of sending flowers.
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Condolences for the family of “Shirley J. Hicks (nee Loyns)”
My sincerest condolences to you Bill and the whole family as you grieve the loss of your very special wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Shirley was a treasured friend to our Mom Shirley who loved their time learning together at United College and teaching together in Rivers. I have fond memories as well of a visit to Leaf Rapids one summer and experiencing the Hicks hospitality. In reading the lovely words of her obituary, I realized that “the Shirley’s” passion for saving the environment and creating recycling depots was another way that they were two peas in a pod! All the love from the Russell clan as you celebrate Shirley’s life and cherish the memories
My sincere condolences to you, Bill and all your family, as I had no idea that Shirley was ill, as we have not seen each other in quite some time, but I always enjoyed seeing and chatting with her and working with her at Health Auxiliary and CWL and still have her wonderful recipe for Wild Mushroom Soup. My Thoughts and Prayers are with you all.
Condolences to The Hicks family and friends
She was a beautiful lady and raised a wonderful family .
RIP Mrs. Hicks
Heartfelt condolences to Bill and all of her family and friends. She was a devout volunteer for the food bank and loved helping those in need. She often placed others needs before her own. She was one of a kind. Gentle and kind to everyone. She will surely be missed by her family and our community. We have all suffered from her loss. May God Bless Bill, her family and our community and May God comfort all who knew her. Rest in Peace Shirley.
My sincere sympathy to Bill and family. Shirley was a wonderful person. I always enjoyed visits when Aunt Laura and Uncle Hugh were in Chilliwack where my Dad lived.
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Mrs. Hicks taught me English in Leaf Rapids many decades ago. She is the only teacher I had run across in my young life that actually cared whether I succeeded in life. She worked with me outside school hours to improve my weak English language skills. I have always given her credit for my subsequent educational and professional success. I’m not surprised to read about her passions in later life as decades ago she took of her own time to give me, a relatively new Canadian, the language skills I would need to succeed. May she Rest In Peace.