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Frances Patrick Hicks, a woman who lived life with unbridled spirit and strength, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at her home in San Antonio, Texas. Born September 14, 1920, in Kansas City, Missouri to Frank William and Williemae Dill Patrick, Frances was the oldest of four daughters. During WWII, Frances proudly served as a Red Cross aide. She met and married naval officer, Guy Hicks, in 1943. Following the war, she settled with the love of her life in California and had two sons, Stephen Guy and Dennis Ray. Of strong Irish heritage, Frances was fiercely independent and bold. She was also extremely discerning, with a passion for the written word and a love of books. Widowed in 1955, she went to work as a research librarian at Southwest Research Institute SWRI. A devoted employee for 32 years, Frances was extremely grateful to SWRI for the opportunity to serve in a position that allowed her to provide for her two young sons while also demonstrating her mental aptitude, especially at a time when neither was commonly accepted or encouraged. Upon retirement in 1988, Frances dedicated her time to her equally forcible love of art and began her 20 year tenure as a docent at the San Antonio Museum of Art SAMA. Sharing her appreciation for all things beautiful with literally thousands of school-aged children throughout the years, Frances adored the time she spent at the museum and with the friends she met while serving as a docent. Both were extremely meaningful to her as she enjoyed the second part of her life, as was the time that she spent reading to the visually impaired on Owl Radio and the hours she dedicated to eliminating illiteracy by teaching adults to read. Frances also possessed a love of travel and enjoyed numerous trips throughout the United States and abroad. An excellent cook, she cherished any opportunity to host a dinner party and knew just how to make each and every guest feel as if the experience was five-star. She adored good champagne and toasted every occasion with an affable, "Salud". Frances was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Betty Ruth Lee and Dorothy Mae Rhodes; her husband, Guy Hicks; son Stephen Guy Hicks; and lifelong friends and companions, Marilyn Pingle and Paul Lepisto. She is survived by her sister, Virginia Lee Bartlett; youngest son, Dennis Ray Hicks; granddaughters, Stacy Hicks Herr Scott and Belinda K Webb John; grandson, Jason Paul Hicks; and great granddaughters, Avery K Webb and Ryleigh Rayne Herr. Frances was a beautiful soul with a generous spirit and a smile that could light up a room. She would want to be remembered with celebration and laughter. The family would like to thank the many friends that visited and provided support throughout these past few months, as well as home caregivers Marissa, Sandra, and Chaleece for their hours of dedicated service and compassion. SERVICES A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2014 at 12:00 P.M. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive. Gifts in memory of Frances Patrick Hicks may be directed to the San Antonio Museum of Art.

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Frances Patrick Hicks

September 14, 1920 - August 25, 2014