Tillie B. (Stanley) Hicks

Tillie B. Hicks Orange - Tillie B. Hicks 87 went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 26, 2015.  Tillie was born on October 20, 1927, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Job R. Stanley Sr. and late Mabel (Hicks) Stanley.      She grew up in Somerset, MA where she met and married John Hicks of Providence, RI. They settled in New Salem, MA. Her husband John passed away in 1980. They were married for 33 years. Not only was Tillie a homemaker but she was the book keeper for her late husband’s asphalt and paving business for many years. Tillie later worked at Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School, where she retired. She was a member of the North New Salem Congregational Church where she taught Sunday school, led the children’s choir, helped out with the youth group, and was a member of the ladies society. Tillie loved going to weekly prayer meetings, and Bible studies. She was known for her special phone calls with distant loved ones, and sending out love notes. Her hobbies were knitting, sewing, crocheting and shopping with her girls, and making sure that everything was taken care of. Tillie loved and adored her two daughters, she loved her family dearly.      She leaves two daughters; Diane Hicks-Wong and her husband of New Salem and Johnna Hicks Mackenzie of Orange; a sister Rebecca Stanley Carey and her husband of New Salem, and a late brother Job R. Stanley Jr. that passed in 1996. She leaves four grandchildren Beth Diane Mackenzie, Travis-John Wong, Tillie Sue Nutter and John Hicks Mackenzie, and five great-grandchildren, Ella Grace and Mabel Vashti Mackenzie, Ian Joshua Nutter, Sophia Brooke and Lily Belle Wong along with several nieces and nephews.      By Tillie’s own request there will be a private funeral service that will be held at the North New Salem Congregational Church, Elm St. New Salem, with the Rev. Edward Boren, Pastor officiating. A private burial will follow at South Cemetery in Orange. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations may be made in Tillie’s name to the North New Salem Congregational Church, Elm St., New Salem, MA  01355.  Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol is directing arrangements.  For more information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });