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A recent obituary published in The Hamilton Spectator gives a real glimpse into the life of the late Sybil Marie Hicks, and it seems like she had a pretty good life.
The obituary was written from Sybil's perspective by her children after her passing as a way of honoring who Sybil was in life. Sybil evidently had a well-developed sense of humor.
Below you'll find the full text of the obituary:
"It hurts me to admit it... but I, Mrs. Ron Hicks from Baysville, have passed away. I passed peacefully with my eldest daughter, Brenda, by my side February 2, 2019 at 8:20 a.m."
"I leave behind my loving husband, Ron Hicks, whom I often affectionately referred to as a 'Horse's Ass'."
"I also left behind my children whom I tolerated over the years; Bob (with Carol) my oldest son and also my favourite. Brian (with Ginette) who was the Oreo cookie favourite, Brenda AKA "Hazel" who would run to clean the bathrooms when she heard company was coming. Barbara (with Gordon) the ever Miss Perfect and finally Baby Bruce who wouldn't eat homemade turkey soup because he didn't want to be alert looking for bones while he ate."
"I will miss seeing my sweetest grandchildren; Caitlin, Megan, Joel, Issac, Mason, Rachel, Annie, Emma, Harrison, Clark, Choe, Orion, Griffin ...grow up to be the incredible people they are meant to be."
"I graduated from Waterdown High School with honors while wearing my shiny bright saddle shoes. I later graduated from Hamilton General Hospital School Nursing class of 1975B - Best Class EVER!"
"In 1972 Ron and I loaded the car with the 5- B's and headed north to run a school bus company for over 20 years in Baysville, Ontario. I was an active horticulturalist, a member of the Eastern Star and a member of the Lion's Club in Baysville."
"I finally have the smoking hot body I have always wanted... having been cremated."
"Please come say goodbye and celebrate my wonderful life with my husband and his special friend Dorothy who is now lovingly taking care of my horse's ass."
"For those of you who are wondering who assisted me in writing this... it wasn't my husband, it wasn't my oldest, nor was it my youngest..."
"Thank you all for sharing my life with me. I am off to swim to the buoy and back."
"Love, Sybil"
The last word. Obit in today’s @TheSpec “I finally have the smoking hot body I have always wanted...having been cre… https://t.co/kaBTNuBMAH— Jim Poling (@Jim Poling) 1549409088.0
Twitter absolutely loved Sybil's story.
@CBCHamilton It’s a piece of art. And love.— Arnold deVries 🇨🇦 (@Arnold deVries 🇨🇦) 1549584118.0
@PolingRecord @TheSpec Canadian humour. Brilliant. RIP Sybil.— Katherine (@Katherine) 1549464963.0
Sybil's obituary was even featured on the CBC Radio show As It Happens, where they also interviewed her son Brian:
If you've seen this obituary, you probably enjoyed reading it as much as we did. Tonight, we'll pay tribute to Sybi… https://t.co/xXzGCPmzUd— As It Happens (@As It Happens) 1549493756.0
Baby Bruce's aversion to homemade soup resonated with another Bruce:
The obit elicited a roller coaster of emotions in those who read it.
@djm0814 @PolingRecord @TheSpec I was laughing and cheery and then the last line hit me and i'm trying not to start… https://t.co/Ew5oS5Sljt— Andrew Dobbs (@Andrew Dobbs) 1549488493.0
Many people agree that Sybil was the kind of person they wish they could have known.
@PolingRecord @GrantRants @TheSpec She soumds like the kind of person I would have loved to know. RIP, Sybil!— Lexy Cameron (@Lexy Cameron) 1549471027.0
@PolingRecord @TheSpec What a beautiful person and great Canadian. Making people laugh despite your own suffering i… https://t.co/dhc4rEKQCU— nuns with guns (@nuns with guns) 1549467371.0
Brenda (AKA "Hazel") saw the share on Twitter and joined the conversation:
@PolingRecord @ddale8 @TheSpec Thank you for sharing our mother’s obituary. She was an incredible woman! Brenda AKA Hazel💔— Brenda (@Brenda) 1549465071.0
@DavidkFarah @PolingRecord @ddale8 @TheSpec You don’t know the half of it. 💔❤️— Brenda (@Brenda) 1549649643.0
@Muskokabh @PolingRecord @ddale8 @TheSpec She *does* sound incredible. And I have the feeling she brought to the w… https://t.co/aUJH5lhQdz— Lexy Cameron (@Lexy Cameron) 1549471369.0
@Muskokabh @PolingRecord @ddale8 @TheSpec She sounds like she was quite the lady! Had me cry laughing! I’m sure you… https://t.co/qqzogQpTtS— i am who i am (@i am who i am) 1549589267.0
@Muskokabh @PolingRecord @ddale8 @TheSpec I am both saddened for your loss, but love your mother’s obit. She sounds… https://t.co/0mxiVu6y2l— Theresa Baxter (@Theresa Baxter) 1549468356.0
@Muskokabh @PolingRecord @ddale8 @TheSpec My condolences, she sounds like she was a really special person. If I can… https://t.co/8HNS71yOTq— Logo 🎧 (@Logo 🎧) 1549471062.0
@Muskokabh @PolingRecord @ddale8 @TheSpec Seems like your mom was a hoot and just a great person to be around. May… https://t.co/ZTHMM3GqRj— JD (@JD) 1549579095.0
@Muskokabh @PolingRecord @ddale8 @TheSpec Like you, I lost a larger-than-life woman not long ago. Her funeral was,… https://t.co/kcjYJrRtbu— Not Bender (@Not Bender) 1549472710.0
Everyone grieves differently, and humor can be one of the most helpful things in dealing with loss. Thanks to Sybil's family for sharing her humor and the story of her wonderful life with the rest of us.