1 – Henry Thomas Hicks Widow – Mary Ann Hicks nee McKenzie – Obituaries on her death in Thirroul February 23 1930.

OBITUARY (Clifton Times or South Coast Times Newspaper ?

 ? Feb / March 1930?)

LATE MRS. HICKS, SENR.

It is our sad duty to record the passing of Mrs. Mary Ann Hicks, one of the grand old pioneers of the district, which occurred at her late residence, “Everest”, Seaview Terrace, Thirroul last Sunday morning at the ripe old age of 92 years.

The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, the cortege being an imposing one, including representatives from all parts of the district. The coffin was taken to St Augustine’s Church, Bulli, Messrs. Harry and (Richard) Ernest Hicks (sons) and Messrs. Harry and George (Hicks) and Kenneth Joy (grandsons) and with Arthur Webb (son-in-law) being the pall bearers. The Revs. Lebond Parsons and C.H. Tomlinson officiated, the former making sympathetic reference to the good life which the deceased had lived. The Rev. Parsons also presided at the organ during the Service.

The remains were laid to rest adjacent to the grave of Mrs Hicks late husband, Mr Henry Thomas Hicks, who passed away at Thirroul 21 years ago, aged 74 years.

Grave of Mary Ann Hicks ( nee McKenzie) and Henry Thomas – St Augustines Bulli

Four of the family died early in life, but there are ten remaining – James of Concord; Mrs Alfred Cook (Maggie) of Ballina; Alexander of Balgownie; Mrs Alex Cook (Alice) of Alstonville; Harry of Thirroul; George of North Sydney; Mrs E Woolley (Christina) of Byron Bay; Mrs Joy (Edith) of Thirroul; Mrs A.F. Webb (Ida) of Chatswood; (Richard) Ernest of Goulburn. There are 27 grandchildren and 17  great grandchildren alive.

The late Mrs Hicks was a native of Fairy Meadow. Upon marrying, her first home was at Austinmer, returning later to the Cross Roads, Wollongong. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. Hicks and family went to reside at Towradgi, where Mr Hicks followed farming pursuits. Their next place of residence was “Mt Gilead” near Thirroul, later on moving to the well known premises “Mount Hope” near Thirroul Railway Station, subsequently returning to “Mt Gilead”, where the death of Mr. Hicks occurred.  Finally, the deceased settled down at “Everest,” where she remained until her death. Mrs. Joy, her daughter, residing with her.

Memorial Window Henry Thomas and Mary Ann Hicks – St Augustine’s Bulli

The late Mrs. Hicks was a woman of very fine Christian character, being a devoted adherent of the Church of England, and up to the very last – when at all able to walk – she regularly attended the Church at Thirroul. Stately in appearance, she was of charming personality. Not only in her youthful years, but right throughout her life, she was of an outstanding bright and cheerful nature, and, as one esteemed friend said “if you felt a bit out of sorts it was a tonic to go and have a chat with Granny Hicks.” She was a conversationalist on all topical subjects, even to politics and on polling day, age never prevented her from going to record her vote. It was pleasing to see her retain all faculties right to the last, which enabled her to bring brightness into the lives of many much younger than herself.

Just here, it can be written of late Mr. Hicks, that, like his wife, he was a noted adherent of the Church of England, being with late Messrs. Fry and Farrell, included among the first  three Churchwardens at Bulli Church, where a stained glass window retains the memory of the three.

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Mary Ann Hicks with Children Grandchildren 1915 – probably at her Thirroul home – Everest
Rear Mary Constance Joy – Mary Alice Hicks – Edith Florence Joy – Kenneth Charles Joy
Front – Unknown -Unknown – Mary Ann Hicks-  Unknown-  Unknown- Unknown

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AUSTINMER, THIRROUL, CLIFTON, COLEDALE  & SCARBOROUGH

Parish News

Vol. vi. – No.6 March, 1930

The Late Mrs. M. A. Hicks

Was called to higher service on Sunday, February 23rd at 6.30am. Thus ended the earthly life of one of the most beautiful characters in the world. She was in her ninety-second year. A funeral service was held in St. Augustine’s Church, Bulli. Reference was made to Mrs Hicks as a Devoted Mother, a Firm Friend,  and a True Christian. She considered no sacrifice too great for promoting her children’s interests even at the sacrifice of her own. She was a perfect mother. She was also a friend before whom one could think aloud, without any fear of betrayal. There was no fickleness about her friendship. She was always the same. A friend who loved at all times. But perhaps the most beautiful aspect of her whole life was her love for the Lord Jesus Christ. How her face would light up at the suggestion of a word of Prayer ! How she loved her Holy Communion and would ask for it from time to time! How she attended the Divine Worship even when her feebleness would have been sufficient excuse for her staying away. Such was her love for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Hence death had no terrors for her. She died as she had lived, in absolute confidence and trust in the saving power of her Redeemer. We shall miss her more than words can express and we would not be so selfish as to wish her back to this world, and thus deprive her of the joys of her Eternal Home. Oh! No! But as time goes by we shall live again together in that priceless treasure – memory. Such a beautiful character can never die. The very thought of her will still continue to mould and fashion the lives of those who loved her so well in life. There in regard to those who mourn we feel we can couple with our sympathy our joyful assurance that their loved one is now “with Christ which is far better.”