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"
Twitter absolutely loved Sybil's story.
Sybil's obituary was even featured on the CBC Radio show As It Happens, where they also interviewed her son Brian:
Baby Bruce's aversion to homemade soup resonated with another Bruce:
The obit elicited a roller coaster of emotions in those who read it.
Many people agree that Sybil was the kind of person they wish they could have known.
Brenda (AKA "Hazel") saw the share on Twitter and joined the conversation:
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.