Betty Leard Hickson, 1929-2022
Hampden
Our wonderful, beautiful, witty and caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend of many passed away peacefully surrounded by all her children on September 2, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor, Maine.
Betty was born in Bangor on December 24, 1929, the daughter of Agnes and Charles Leard of Hampden, Maine. She grew up in the ‘good ole days’ going to Horace Mann, a two-room multigrade school, in East Hampden, then moving on to John Bapst High School and the University of Maine in Orono where she graduated in 1951. After graduation, she married the ‘love of her life’, John R. Hickson. They raised their four children in Hampden, Carolyn Greenleaf (Gerry Greenleaf), Karen (Kippy) Hickson (Steven Brown), Kimberly Hickson, and John Hickson (Nancy Hickson).
She taught elementary school in Brewer, remembered affectionately by all who had her as their first grade teacher. Even though she retired from teaching 32 years ago, she has continued to spend quality time over the years with her teacher friends, the ‘girls’, including at the weekly Friday morning breakfast!
Betty and John “Block” loved being on the go from snowmobiling to camping and, in retirement, spending their winters in Florida. Betty was happy to be on the go all the time right up until two weeks ago. In the past years, she managed to spend time in Florida and Mexico vacationing with family and attending family events, like the annual 4th of July celebration. She has been a real trooper in her later years! Her elegance, intelligence, selflessness and fun-loving ways will be missed by all. She loved the sunshine, and she shone like the sun wherever she was.
She is survived and well-loved by her four children, six grandchildren, Kevin Greenleaf (Becky); Alyson Leeper (Shaun); Meaghan Wildes (Mark); Anya Brown; Marcus Brown (Damaris); and Benjamin Hickson, as well as five great grandchildren, Riley and Reece Wildes; Addie and Caleb Greenleaf; and Maddy Betty Leeper.
She was predeceased by her husband, parents and sister, Jane Leard Elliott.
During the past few months, we are grateful for the care provided by Pam Cunningham to our dear mother and that provided by caring staff at Saint Joseph’s during her last week.
Relatives and friends are invited to call 9:00 am to 10:30 am Friday September 23, 2022 at the Hampden Gilpatrick Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 45 Western Ave., Hampden.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 am Friday September 23, 2022 at St .Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 70 Western Ave., Hampden. Interment will be in Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery.
Given Betty’s love of and joy of being with children, donations can be made in her memory to Ronald MacDonald’s House, 654 State Street, Bangor, Maine 04401, where she gave support over many years. Or donations can be made in her memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation for research on the illness that she had but didn’t slow her down until recently - Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation 230 E Ohio Street Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60611 or donate via text PFFTribute1150 to 71777.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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