Beverly Hickman, 75, passed away on Friday, October 28th, 2022, with family at her side following extended illness and decline due to Alzheimer’s. She was born on November 10, 1946 in Yuma, Colorado where she spent her childhood with parents Ernie and Colleen Anderson, and brother Robert Anderson. The family’s love of music created a passion that influenced Beverly throughout her life.
Beverly met the love of her life, Richard Hickman, in Yuma. It was love at first sight when Richard saw her come into the High School band room. That wonderful moment led to 57 years of loving marriage, filled with family, friends and travel.
Beverly and Richard were married on September 4, 1965. After Richard completed his education in Boston, the young couple moved to Delaware where Beverly graduated from the University of Delaware in 1967 with a degree in education, with an emphasis on music.
After an employment change in 1973, Beverly and Richard moved to Richardson, Texas … to a neighborhood of similar couples, many becoming extended family. Richardson remained the family home for thirteen years of youth sports for the kids, and adult recreational sports for Beverly (tennis, volleyball) and Richard (soccer). It was at this time that Beverly expressed how regretful and unfair it was that school sports for girls were not readily available in her youth.
The next major move was to Taylor Lake Village in 1986, where the family settled for the next 36 years. Beverly enjoyed family activities, continued playing excellent Bridge, and became an active, supporting member of the music ministry at her family’s parish. With her life and love of music, Beverly continued to serve multiple parish communities as a musician/liturgist. Many lifelong friendships developed and these joined music as another of the joys she treasured and loved fully.
Beverly always felt music to be her passion because it brought her so much joy. Beginning from talent shows as a child … to her education/and vocation path … to sharing music with her children … to mentoring others … to finally bringing it into her spiritual life, music was a core part of Beverly’s life. She expressed that her favorite song was ABBA’s “Thank You For The Music.”
Beverly leaves behind family and friends who will miss her irrepressible smile, her ability to turn strangers into friends, her laughter, her opinions, her intellect, her songs, and most of all, her love for life. Family, dear friends, and caregivers remember Beverly fondly and treasure memories of her engaging presence. The world loses the sparkle that she brought to all.
Beverly is survived by her husband, Richard … her son, Nathan and wife, Nikki and granddaughter, Josie in Austin, TX … her daughter, Megan Upshaw and husband, Chris and grandchildren, Adam and Cara in Sugarland, Texas … and her brother, Robert Anderson in Yuma, Colorado.
She is also survived by Jester, the family cat, who is the last in a long line of beloved felines. Beverly’s family was carefully schooled to properly care for, respect, and love the family’s many pet cats.
Celebration of Life service will be held at 11am on February 18, 2023 at Unity Bay Area Houston, 1911 Highway 3 South, League City, TX and available to Livestream at unitybayareahouston.org.
Donations in her honor and memory may be directed to the Houston Symphony or the Rocky Mountain Conservancy.
2023-02-10