Jan Hickey
(Nov 7, 1946 – Aug 23, 2012)
Obituary written by Nanci Hewitt, her daughter Kymberly, and Patti Hawkins. Italic lettering below was what Jennifer Hawkins (Jan’s daughter) and John Howard (Jennifer’s fiance) decided should be added to tell the story of Jan Bottomstone.
Jan Hickey, 65, of Corpus Christi passed away peacefully at her residence on a Thursday, August 23, 2012. Jan was born on November 7, 1946 and was the second of four children born to Bert Arnold Bottomstone and Louise Genelle Black Fruge in Corpus Christi, TX. She married John Hawkins at the age of 17 and reared two wonderful children, Jason and Jennifer. John and Jan were married for 14 years. Her second husband was Rey Arthur Trevino. Always the hopeful romantic, she married James Hickey on November 14, 1987 and lived the majority of her life in Corpus Christi, Texas surrounded by an extended and loving family.
Popular and active in her youth, Jan was a beautiful homecoming queen and cheerleader who excelled in each of her art classes. Jan was talented and creative. She mastered sketching, painting, crafts, scrap booking, silk-screening, sewing and above all relished in gifting her creations to her family and friends. After finishing Carrol High School, Jan worked in the Corpus Christi Independent School District Central Office Art Division and later transferred to Menger Elementary where she served as Art Director until she retired. Jan was a proud young mother to her beautiful children. Supportive and attentive, Jan provided a loving home, enabling her children to grow and excel throughout their active school years in athletics, dance, art and academics. Possessing a love for humanity and an artistic attention to fine details, Jan inspired her children to follow their dreams in nursing and aviation.
A loving daughter, mother, sister, wife, aunt and grandmother, Jan was cherished by all that knew her. Her grandchildren called her “Oma” and she enjoyed spending time with them at every available opportunity. Jan embraced her close relationships with each of her 
sisters. Thankful and blessed, Jan leaned on her sisters in times of need and shared years of laughter with them in times of joy. Jan, along with her sisters, could light up any room.
Jan was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church parish and a life long supporter of the pro-life movement. Never afraid of voicing her beliefs, Jan was known to participate in pro-life rallies and public demonstrations. Jan was a proud member of the Republican Party and knew how to shoot a gun.
Jan is survived by:
- Her mother:
- Louise Genelle Black Fruge and her stepfather, Lloyd Fruge of Corpus Christi
- Her husband:
- James “Jimmy” Hickey of Corpus Christi
- Her son:
- Jason Lee Hawkins and wife Patti Hawkins of Plano
- Her daughter:
- Jennifer Karen Hawkins of Corpus Christi
- Her stepsons:
- Michael Hickey of Corpus Christi
- James Hickey of Portland
- Michael Hickey of Corpus Christi
- Her sisters:
- Sherry Lanphier and husband Odis Lanphier of Holly Lake Ranch
- Marilyn Lanning and husband Larry Lanning of Houston
- Nanci Hewitt and husband David Hewitt of Weddington, NC.
- Her grandchildren:
- Harrison Hawkins, Hazel Hawkins
- Amanda Riddle, Mason Riddle, Brayden Riddle, John Riddle, Molly Riddle
- Matthew Hickey, Michael “Mikey” Hickey, and Michaella Hickey.
Jan leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues, and students whose lives she touched. Jan was taken suddenly and too soon, she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Jan was preceded in death by her father, Bert Bottomstone, who passed away on November 21, 1996.
Jan’s Entombment is at
Seaside Memorial Park
4357 Ocean Dr
Corpus Christi, TX, 78412
(361) 992-9411
The following was pulled from Seaside Memorial Page before it went down and those who emailed:
“My sincerest condolences to Jason and Jennifer and your families on the loss of your Mom. What a beautiful lady… I’m so very sorry and will lift you up in prayer during this most difficult time.”
Jeanie Blankenship
“My prayers and thoughts are with Jan’s family. She was such a great person. Will always remember her beautiful smile and kind ways. Sweet dreams Jan until we meet again. “
Susanne Craig – August 27
“Praying for Jim and family in your loss. Remember Jan being one who wasn’t afraid to stand up for what was right!”
Dr. Keith Bellamy
Anyone may leave comments below or if you wish to be added to the list above then please click my contact page and send me an email.
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Click on any thumbnail photo below or above to enlarge it:
Jan’s Facebook Photo
Sherry and Jan
Jan, 1984 at Fisher School
1985 Jan, Sherry, Nanci
Jan always having fun
No one seems to know where this photo was taken, but it does show her energy of life
Baby Jan
Four Generations
Jimmy and Jan Hickey happy times!
Jason Hawkins and Jan in San Antonio
Jan and her daughter, Jennifer Hawkins
Jan and Jimmy Hickey
At the Art Center 2003
Jan’s creativity and talent spanned many genres.
Jan at Montclair Elementary
Jan and Kelly, one summer day having a great time! (click on pic to enlarge)
Jan and Ozzie heading to Houston (click on pic to enlarge)
I miss you, Mom. I have to do a project for Molly for school. You would have made it spectacular! I’ll be lucky if I turn it in on time for her. Lol Every time one of the kids does something cute,I want to pick up the phone and call you like I always did. This is the longest that I have ever gone without talking to you. I need your input. I was thinking about how you made the flowers for Jason and Patti’s wedding and I wanted you to do the flowers for my wedding someday. Not a moment goes by that I don’t miss you. XXOOOXX
Today is my sister Jan’s 66th birthday. I’m sure all the others in the family still feel her loss and miss her daily. While we do not understand why she was taken from us so early I know thoughts of her heighten my joy and in small ways helps to lessen the sorrow I still feel.
Today I was going through some of my Mom’s clothes. There was a shirt with a picture of a margarita on it with a straw. Molly looked at it and said “Look, a glass with a paintbrush in it!” I’m so glad that we moved here so that Molly could enjoy Oma, even though it was not nearly long enough.
I still can hardly believe my dear sweet sister has left us ! It just seems she should have been given more time to spend with her family and all her good friends. And I know we all feel her loss so deeply. I have hung a very early oil painting she did by my desk. Now every time I sit there I can glance up and see it. It’s of pink flowering trees growing along a lake. There are also some reeds and old boats in the foreground. I know many remember this painting. I feel blessed to have it
We love and miss you, Jan.
Hello, everyone! I wanted to let you all know about something that happened to me last night. I was at work, and we were quite busy. I needed something from the supply room. While I was in there, my phone started to ring with my Mom’s ringtone, “Red, Red Wine”. I took my phone out of my pocket, and, sure enough, there is my Mom’s picture and the incoming call from “Oma’s cell”. So I answered. After I said hello,I heard a woman’s voice, very distant and somewhat staticy, say “Hello! !” . After that, there was just silence. No one answered me when I spoke again. I feel like Mom wanted me to let you all know that she said “Hello!”
I have not been able to get into the Holiday Spirit so far, but this phone call certainly brought me a certain peaceful feeling. I hope it does the same for all of you. I love you all. Happy Holidays!
I’ve thought about Jan so much over these past couple of months, especially in December when the Art Association had our annual show. We dedicated the show to her with a mention in the program. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to hang one of her pieces since the show was juried. I’m glad she talked to you, Jen. She loved you all so much! I hope you are doing well.
debb
Hello, Debb
Thank you so much for posting. I appreciate your kind words and well wishes. My Mom is truly missed by so many wonderful people. Thank you for being such a great friend to her for so many wonderful years.
Deb… I’m so happy to read of the Art Shows mention of Jan. Kelly has taken one of the canvases from Jan’s supplies back to school. She’s painting a Willie Armstrong now. She also took four mini-canvases and plans to do something for her roommates for graduation gifts . When cleaning through some things just past Christmas, I found a horseshoe necklace Aunt Jan had given to the girls. Each received one just after the summer we had met her at Melanie & Joseph’s Ranch. We rode horses & mucked out stalls; then drove ATV’s in the fields. Such a fun time for all of us. I polished up the necklace and am wearing it. A few days later, cleaning my bathroom another memory came. Remember how afraid of grasshoppers Jan was . Once when shopping in Ohio at an antique mart I saw this cricket candleholder and it reminded me of Jan and her “terror”. Had to buy it
One ConCan she came running out of the bathroom when Uncle Bernie tossed a grasshopper over the top of the wall ! We miss our Jan – but we have wonderful memories, don’t we !
i know this is very late but you are often still in my thoughts. You were one of my best friends at Carroll High School, were in business together for a while, introduced me to my husband of 35 years and had planned to go to reunion only a few days before you passed away. You were an important person in my life and am honored to have been your friend.
Hi, Alaska,
I often wonder if knowing you when I was so small has anything to do with my moving here to Alaska, lol.
It is so great to hear from you
Thank you so much for taking the time to write in my Mom’s
memorial. It means so much to me. I am so thankful that my Mom was blessed with so many talented, truly genuine friends. With her birthday coming up, I have been thinking of her even more than usual. I know she really loved you and your friendship with her for so many years gave her life so much color.
When I first started painting with the Wednesday gals, we celebrated five birthdays in Nov. We are now down to two. We celebrated Shirley’s and Sharon’s today and we also celebrated our Jan. I still miss her so much. It’s really strong this time of the year with all the church festivals, activities at the art center, and our annual show coming up. It’s when I feel her the strongest and remember what a dear, dear friend I had. I hope you are all doing well. Jan keeps us bonded in a very special way. Debb
Today is my sweet sister Jan’s birthday. We all miss her terribly !
Rest in Peace, Jan, knowing that though we still mourn your passing…
we realize you have peace & are re-united with other loved ones who too
have slipped through heavens gates.
Jennifer & Jason
God bless you and your families. Stay healthy and safe. Our thoughts are with you always.
Nanci and Family