Phyllis Joan Hicks

Phyllis J. Hicks (nee Caliban) 92 beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Beloved wife of the late Arthur Hicks and loving mother of Barbara Prendergast and Glen (Kathy) Hicks. Cherished grandmother of Khrissy (Frank) Miceli; Colleen (Craig) Pesek; Kevin (Camille) Hicks; Devin Prendergast and Tim Archibald. Proud great-grandmother to Mia, Maddy, Frankie, Vinnie, the late Nicholas, Sonny, Craigy, Gwen, Vander. Aunt and great-aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Born in Chicago to Lyman and Mildred Caliban nee Hodge, Phyllis was raised in Chicago's East Side neighborhood. After marrying Art, the love of her life, she resided in the South Chicago/Calumet Heights community raising her family and working as a lab tech for many years at South Chicago Community Hospital. Starting in the early 1960's, the family would vacation on Nelson Lake in Eagle River, Wisconsin. At the time it was just a wonderful destination to vacation not knowing this would one day be her home for over 29 years. In 1977, Phyllis and Art purchased a piece of property on the lake and planned for a seasonal home there. It evolved into more than just seasonal and became her future permanent home.

In 1996 her piece of heaven on Nelson Lake became reality when Phyllis and Art became permanent residents on Nelson Lake with cousins Bob and Betty Carlson and Harold and Lynn Madsen next door neighbors on the lake. Many wonderful years were spent on the lake with both family and friends. She loved her annual trips back to the Chicago area for the Caliban family picnics and Christmas parties.

Phyllis was a wonderful cook with a specialty for making apple and blueberry pies. She loved the visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and always had a special meal waiting for when they arrived. Phyllis loved music and always had Broadway show tunes or an Andrea Bocelli CD playing in the background in the house as she cooked. It was also common to find Phyllis watching classic musicals or her favorite comedy show "Everybody Loves Raymond" while enjoying a Heath Klondike bar and watching for loons swimming by on Nelson Lake.

Phyllis touched the lives of her family, friends, and those that cared for her in the past few years. She always offered to share her meal or ice cream when eating with others. She was loved and will be missed by all that knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christmas Without Cancer https://christmaswithoutcancer.org .

Visitation Monday, July 28, 2025 from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the Tews-Ryan Funeral Home, 18230 Dixie Highway, Homewood, IL. 60430. Funeral service beginning at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be held at the Concordia Cemetery, Hammond, IN. For further information, please contact tews-ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300.