Dolores J. (Dee) Hicklin

Dolores J. (Dee) Hicklin After a brief but courageous battle with cancer, Dolores Hicklin went to be with our Lord on March 5th, 2015 in Paradise Valley, AZ at the age of 80. She leaves behind her husband of 57 years, Robert Hicklin; daughters Debbi Wood, Glendale, AZ, Terri (T) O'Reilly, Scottsdale, AZ, and Robyn Olabi, Scottsdale, AZ and her son Bart Hicklin, Des Moines, IA. Dee was born on November 10, 1934 in Osceola, IA, to father Harold Crabb and mother Dorothy. Grandparents, many Aunts, Uncles and cousins lived in this rural Iowa community. Large family gatherings and always with enough food to feed the neighbors was the order of the day. She had a loving family with her two brothers Darrell and Stanley. Dee met Bob Hicklin when they were grade school classmates and enjoyed a great friendship that developed into love and were married on March 5, 1958. Bob and Dee lived in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, IA where they raised their four children. Needlepointing and Antiques were her passion. She owned a Needlepoint shop in Des Moines called "The Needle and I" and was an enthusiastic member of the Iowa chapter of Questers International. Dee was also active in fund raising for the restoration of "Terrace Hill" (The Iowa Governor's Mansion) Dee was a tour guide on many occasions at Terrace Hill. After 55 winters in Des Moines, Dee and Bob moved to the Valley of the Sun in Scottsdale, AZ. There were always activities, travel and events with family and friends. We enjoyed exploring and traveling in the great Southwest and especially the perfect climate, even the hot summers were embraced. The next 25 years were the golden ones, but while numerous they still ended too quickly. Dee loved life and was a shining star to all who knew her. She had a wonderful smile and loved to meet and befriend new people. She had friends all over the country and enjoyed keeping up with their lives and family. That great smile is now going to be in Heaven. A recent highlight was her 60th High School reunion at North High School in Des Moines, IA. She was most happy visiting, catching up with all of her classmates and telling stories of the 1950s. Dee is survived by her husband, children and eight (8) grandchildren, Debrina Foret, Santa Ana, CA, Hallie O'Reilly, Winthrop, WA, Aubrianna Wood, Huntington Beach, CA, Michael O'Reilly, Bozeman, MT, Bart Hicklin Jr., San Diego, CA (Ensign USN now deployed on the USS Sampson) James Thomas, Glendale, AZ, Enzo Olabi, Phoenix, AZ, Abie Olabi, Scottsdale, AZ and her great grandson Airo O'Reilly, Bozeman, MT as well as her mother Dorothy Rose, brother Stanley Crabb, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by father Harold and brother Darrell Crabb. A Memorial Service will be held at Chaparral Christian Church, 6451 E. Shea Blvd. Sunday March 15th, 2015 at 2:00 PM, with interment in the memorial garden. A reception at the church will follow; all are welcome. The family would especially like to thank the staff of Hospice of the Valley for their excellent work and loving care and for their constant, attentive treatment. Thanks to Dr. Larry Hostettler for his prayers, communions given and support to the family during the final few months. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Dee and her family's favorite charity El Zaribah Shriners Transportation Fund, 552 N. 40th St. Phoenix, AZ 85008 (for transportation of children to Shrine hospitals).