Shirley R Hicks

Shirley R. Hicks, 79, of Plains, MT passed away Friday, March 3, 2023 at her sister’s home in Weiser, ID. Shirley was born July 4, 1943 in Ashton, Idaho to Cecil Erwin Whitmore and Constance Aloha Walker. She was the oldest daughter of eight children.  After high school, she moved to Pocatello, ID to provide for herself.

She married Robert Hicks, the love of her life. Although she never had children of her own, she cherished Bob’s children as if they were hers. She had a very special place in her heart for Izik. Bob and Shirley lived in the Tacoma, WA area where Shirley work as a legal secretary before moving to Plains, MT. She worked for First Security Bank in Thompson Falls until she retired.

Shirley was a skilled seamstress and made many of Bob’s shirts and suits, as well as her own. She also made several wedding dresses and clothing for others.  She was a gifted artist with a paint brush and canvas. Her home was an art gallery of many of her amazing paintings. Cooking was another of her talents. Shirley could make a yummy loaf of bread which she shared with many of us. Her favorite flour was “King Arthurs”. Bob loved to fish and she loved to can and preserve what he caught. Once you had tasted her canned tuna or pike, it was difficult to go back to store bought tuna.

Shirley loved to visit and no one was a stranger for long around her. She made friends everywhere she went and was a patient that few doctors will ever forget! She had a great sense of humor and loved to joke with the doctors and nurses.

Shirley was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She serve in many capacities including Relief Society President, teacher, and visiting teacher. Even when her health began to decline and she was not able to attend, she continued to read and grow her testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” in April 2014, her parents Cecil and Connie Whitmore; and sister, Verlene Shepard. She is survived by her step-children Robert Hick, Jr. (Elsie) and Robin Collins of WA; and numerous grandchildren, including Izik Hicks of Hayden, ID who they adopted as their own. 

She is also survived by her siblings, Clair Whitmore (Glenda) of Idaho Falls, ID; Gary Whitmore (Ada) of Salmon, ID; Patricia Smith (Sam) of Weiser, ID, Pamela Lenard of Teton, ID; Judy Goodin of Weiser, ID; Jolene Mires (Ellis) of Weiser, ID;  and Brother-in-Law Scott Shepard of Ogden, UT; and many dear friends including Fran Kruse, the mother of her stepchildren.

Services were held Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with burial at the Plains, Cemetery beside her sweetheart, Bob.

_______

Our beloved Shirley passed away peacefully on March 3rd , 2023. She was born in Ashton, Idaho on July 4th, 1943 to Cecil and Connie Whitmore. At the time of her passing, her dearest sister, Jolene, was by her side. The two held a very special bond that no one could replace. Jolene and her husband, Eliss, brought great joy and comfort to Shirley. She loved everything about them, and especially enjoyed their karaoke nights!

Shirly loved working with her hands while listening to a broad genre of music. She embraced everything from Elvis Presly to 90s Country and everything in between. Her hobbies were nothing short of amazing. She loved painting, and if you had the opportunity to see her work, you could see the passion and skill that she put in to each and every one of them. Her sewing room was always full of true pieces of art. And don’t forget her baking, especially of her famous bread – it made the best french toast in the world! Shirley took pride in her yard, she raised her grandson, Izik, and she loved her husband, Bob, to no end. She loved telling stories about their wonderful life and about some of their best memories together. All of this brought Shirley great joy!

If you were lucky enough to know Shirley, either personally or from her time at First Security Bank, you know that she was one of the special ones. She could make a bad day good again, just with her smile. She was such an exhilarating and interesting woman. She really was the most well-rounded person you could meet. She was the brains, the love, the compassion, the listener, and the lady to tell you how it should be!

Shirley will be forever remembered and missed by so many.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Shirley R Hicks, please visit our Tree Store.