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SUE ANN HICKS (LEIGH-SPENCER)
Date of Passing: Feb 27, 2020
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
SUE ANN HICKS
(née LEIGH-SPENCER)
Sue moved to Salt Spring Island from Winnipeg less than five years ago after the death of her husband of 48 years, Dave Hicks. She dove into her new life and community lending her practical and efficient organization skills to such projects as expanding the Meadowbrook Seniors' Facility, coordinating volunteers for SSNAP (Salt Spring National Art Prize), improving the experience at the Salt Spring Island Golf Club, and much more. Her passionate support for others, insight, clarity, and strength made her many close friends. Her playful sense of humour and effortless fashion sense charmingly complemented her pragmatism.
Sue was born and raised in Winnipeg where she completed her Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Manitoba and later completed her Masters of Environmental Studies (Health Planning) at York University in Toronto. She began her career as a Public Health Nurse for the City of Winnipeg and rose to become Associate Deputy Minister of Health for the Government of Manitoba. In addition to her busy professional life in Winnipeg, Sue also worked tirelessly in the community for such organizations as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (two terms as Board Director), Deer Lodge Hospital, and the Pan American Games.
Sue was a leading expert in public health planning and program implementation and spoke, wrote, and consulted on the subject nationally and internationally and was widely recognized. She was ultimately awarded the Canadian Public Health Association Certificate of Merit in 2009. She continued to consult privately until her retirement in 2019.
Sue Hicks will be deeply missed by her many friends on Salt Spring Island, and in Winnipeg, Tucson, and elsewhere.
She is survived by her sister Sally Leigh-Spencer (Brian Thacker) of Duncan, BC; her brother Peter Leigh-Spencer (Marjorie) of Edmonton, AB; her brother-in-law Dennis Watkins (Michelle) of Brentwood Bay, BC and a wide extended family of beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Sue comes from a long history of family from Salt Spring Island; her parents, Ann and Frank Leigh-Spencer, and her paternal grandparents, Helen and Leigh Leigh-Spencer.
A Celebration of Life will be held on May 24, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. at Gallery 8 on Salt Spring Island.
Those who wish to remember Sue in a special way, may make a gift in her memory to Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 14, 2020, Mar 21, 2020
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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My sincere sympathies to Sally and Peter and families. I knew Sue in Winnipeg as we walked to school together; I lived on Somerville Avenue, one avenue over from Sue on Somerset. I remember spending many times hanging out at Sue's home with the happy, lively, family of hers, and spending a week of swimming at a Victoria Beach cottage with her family. Then one summer, I ferried Sue and a Girl Guide friend, in a small open skiff, across the very deep West Hawk lake so they could eat out at a cafe, and then back across the wide lake, late at night, without any running lights, laughing all the way. I last saw Sue at her wedding reception, then after I graduated from U of M I moved to Edmonton, Fort McMurray and on to Victoria in 1981, I just realized that Sue was living on Salt Spring Island last year when I saw her name on the Art's Council page, and I meant to call her to say hello. And now, I have missed my chance. So, requiescat in pace Sue, Adieu, Jules Thomson - Posted by: julie thomson (middle school and high school friend) on: Apr 22, 2020
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My sincere sympathies to Sue's family. I worked closely with Sue at Manitoba Health and considered her a valued friend. I had heard about her illness and am glad she had several rich and active years in BC in her final time. She was smart, fun to be with and always a class act. - Posted by: Sandy Gessler Cooley (Former colleague and friend) on: Mar 22, 2020
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Our family were long time friends of sue and Dave. We are deeply saddened by there passing. - Posted by: The wicks family (Long time friends ) on: Mar 20, 2020
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My condolences to Sue's family on her passing. I would like to share a quote with them. Sue has not died, but merely gone away,to a better place,free of pain and suffering. We will see her again some day. Rest in Peace Sue with your hubby. You are now together again - Posted by: Patricia Homenick (Past co-worker at Mb Health ) on: Mar 15, 2020
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I am so sad to hear of Sue’s passing. She was a remarkable person who truly made a difference in the lives of others. It was a privilege to have worked with her. - Posted by: Marilyn Robinson (Nursing colleague) on: Mar 14, 2020