Aleen Hicks

  Aleen Esther Smith Hicks, 85, escaped the bonds of Alzheimer’s and went to be with the Lord on February 5, 2017. The devotion of her family and her firm belief in God supported her even to her last days, and she could sing gospel songs almost until the end. She was impossibly gentle and kind and had a childlike wonder for the world around her. She had a song in her heart.

  Aleen was born to the late Raymond and Florence (Mullen) Smith in Port Maitland, Nova Scotia on March 24, 1931. She started singing as a young girl, blessed with a strong soprano voice, an ear for harmony, and piano skills. She sang solos, and trios with her mother and sister for many years, later singing in trios with her children.

  She married Rev. Leslie Hazen Hicks on June 7, 1950 in Port Maitland. Together they raised three children: Gary, Donald and Nancy. She loved her husband and children, and delighted in her role as a wife and mother.

  Aleen served as a pastor’s wife in Reformed Baptist (and later Wesleyan) churches in Royalton and Bloomfield, NB; Fort Fairfield, ME; Fredericton, NB; Ingomar and Sandy Point, NS; Havelock, NB and Crapaud, PEI. Later she served with her husband in United Baptist churches in Elgin and Kinnear Settlement, NB.

  She is survived by her husband Leslie; her sons Gary (Connie) and Donald (Brenda) and daughter Nancy (David) Cruickshank; also her grandchildren Shannon, Aleen, Moriah, Kayla and Kelsey, and great-grandchildren Ramaira, Caleb, Samuel, Abigail and Steven. She is also survived by her sister Hazel (Douglas) Trask. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Henry and Raymond.

  Resting at Salisbury Funeral Home, 3350 Salisbury Road (372-4800) visiting will be Tuesday, February 7 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and from where the funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 8 at 1 p.m. Interment will be at a later time.

  If desired, memorial donations made to the Havelock Wesleyan Church would be appreciated by the family.

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