Catherine "Kay" Hicks

Catherine “Kay” Hicks, 79, of Kingsford, MI, passed away on October 27, 2019 surrounded by loved ones. She was born January 25, 1940 in Cambridge, MA, the daughter of James and Alma (Tremblay) Sullivan. Ever the wisecracker, she loved to tell people she went through Harvard…on her way to work. At 17, she met a gentle “coastie” that had found his way East from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She married her hunk of burning love, Roger Howard Hicks, in Boston on April 12, 1957. The two would soon relocate to Roger’s hometown of Kingsford, MI, where they would live out the rest of their lives. Kay would retain her thick Boston accent despite living out the majority of her life in Michigan. Kay was larger-than-life. Strong-minded and tough-as-nails, she wasn’t afraid to go against the grain. Just when you thought you had outwitted Kay, she took a sip of black coffee and blurted out an irreverent retort that made everyone laugh (or gasp!). She loved Elvis, animals, and rooting for the underdog. She played the dice machine at the casino like a boss. She never forgot a birthday and loved sending cards and finding the perfect gift to make someone smile. You had to earn her love, but once you did she loved you fiercely. Her children and grandchildren meant the world to her. Her whole life, she adored her husband Roger like a love-struck teenager. Her and Roger’s living room on Sterling St. will always be remembered as a special gathering place where warmth, laughter, and coffee were never in short supply. Kay is survived by her sister Mary (William) Czar of Stoneham, MA; brother James Sullivan of Lexington, MA; son, Roger (Denise) Hicks of Florence, WI; daughter, Beverly (Ray) Jones of Winchendon, MA; grandchildren, Casey (Cory) VanCamp of Kimberly, WI, Tracey (Dave) Berman of Brooklyn, WI, Roger (Kirsten Vinyeta) Hicks of Springfield, OR, and Jennifer Simonds of Gardener, MA; great grandchildren, Ava and Aubrey VanCamp, Hailey and Tanner Berman, Eskar Hicks, Collin and Connor Simonds, and Aiden Jones; sisters and brothers in-law Beverly Powell, Randy Hicks, Bruce Hicks, Doug Hicks, Dale Hicks, Charlotte Groeneveld, and Ginger Strum; cousin Jerry Hicks, and many other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Kay was preceded in death by her and Roger’s beloved dogs Ben and Tessie. The family would like to express their gratitude to the dedicated staff at ManorCare that cared for Kay in her final months. In keeping with Kay’s wishes, there will be no funeral services. The family will be celebrating her life in a private gathering at a later date. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Catherine "Kay" Hicks online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Catherine "Kay" Hicks

January 25, 1940 - October 27, 2019