Doreen Hicks (nee Winskill) died peacefully on the Gold Coast in Australia aged 93 after a full and happy life.
The second daughter of Bert and Jessie Winskill, she started at Penrith’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School alongside her lifelong friend Cynthia Kilburn only four days after World War II was declared.
She became school sports captain and head of Tudor house, and this was where she met the love of her life, Laurie Hicks, who she married in 1952. They had their only son, David, the year after.
She began a teaching career at Upperby, Carlisle, then Stainton. She and Laurie taught at Matterdale and then for many years at St Mark’s School, Natland, where they took a full part in church and village life. On retirement they lived in Endmoor, where Laurie sadly died in 1991.
Doreen moved to Brisbane to be close to family, made many friends and was an active participant at St Mark’s Church in The Gap. She enjoyed many visits with family and friends from the UK. For the last two years of her life she was lovingly cared for by all the wonderful people at Hillview Aged Care.
She will be dearly remembered by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gran/GiGi was an integral part of growing up and her love and joy will be missed.
Doreen was a much loved stepdaughter of Nell and remembered as an exciting big sister to Pat, and later welcomed Tom into the family and generously hosted many discovery trips to Australia.
Auntie Doreen will always be remembered fondly by Marcia and her other Walsh nieces and nephews as being a fun-loving, kind, generous and happy person.
She is survived by her son Michael (David), his wife Diane, grandchildren Sara, Ben and Jules and great-grandchildren Ember and Evie.
A memorial service will be held at St Mark’s Church, The Gap at 8.30am on Sunday, February 5. The service will be recorded and made available online for those unable to attend or overseas.
