It is with sadness that the family of Natalie (Smith Boss) Hicks better known as Chick announces her passing at High Crest Nursing Home in Springhill on June 17, 2017. Chick was born on December 4, 1931 in Framingham, Massachusetts to Charles (Wilmer) and Ina (Atwell) Smith.
Graduating from Framingham High she married the first love of her life Raymond Burton Boss. Following their marriage the couple moved to Rodney, Nova Scotia where they began their family. In their early years of marriage they operated a community store in Rodney and assisted with the H.R. Boss family milk business. In 1960 the family moved to their home on Black River Rd in Springhill. Having both been born in Framingham, it was on November 15, 1982 that she and Ray both became Canadian citizens. Chick was employed as a store clerk for Newman Brothers’ Grocery and later as a bookkeeper for The Springhill Record where she was employed until the time of her retirement in 1997.
It was in 1998 that Chick met and later married the second love of her life Allan Hicks. Chick was first and foremost a loving, caring mother to her children. These same qualities later extended to their spouses, her stepchildren and her grandchildren. In her spare time Chick enjoyed spending time with family, playing cards, her annual trips to visit her Massachusetts relatives, summer visits to Granny’s, and baking. Chick was an avid baseball player who continued to play the sport she so loved into her 60’s. She was renown among her family and church friends for her coconut cream pie while her tray of sweets was always a hit at family gatherings.
Chick was predeceased by her first husband, Raymond Boss by her adopted brother Stanley Atwell; brother Wilmer (Bud) Smith; sister Gertrude Brannigan, sisters-in-law Betty Atwell and Ruth Smith; brother-in-law Charles Brannigan. She is survived by her husband, Al Hicks; sons, Allan (Inez) Boss, David (Leah) Boss, Arnold (Lisa) Boss; daughters, Deborah (Glen) McMaster, Linda (Murray) Scott, step-children Allan (Tracy) Hicks, Gay Marie Rushton, Cecil (Michelle) Hicks, Michael (Laura) Hicks, Barbara (Kirk) Gallagher, Tim Hicks; 12 grandchildren, 17 step grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 15 step great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Special thank you to Dr. Fashoranti and the staff of High- Crest Nursing Home especially those who worked with Chick in the 300 Unit. Your tenderness in helping our loved one will always be remembered.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of A.H. Brown Funeral Home, 5 McFarlane Street, Springhill, (902-597-2361) from where family and friends are welcome to a time of visitation on Monday, June 19, 2017 from 7-9 pm and on Tuesday from 1 pm until the time of the funeral service at 2 pm. Interment will take place in the Rodney Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Chick may be made to the Rodney Cemetery.
Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Chick's online memorial at www.brownsfuneralhome.ca or through the A.H. Brown Funeral Home Facebook Page.