Lenore Sheffield Hicks

At age 20, Lenore boldly left the South on the tails of the Great Migration. She went west train bound to California, following her second husband, Pete Sheffield, who was in Los Angeles. Without ire, she told tales of her travels--still in deep apartheid. She wasn’t allowed to use restrooms and had to go the back door of restaurants to get meals. Much of her trip she was hungry. Undeterred by difficulties she settled in Los Angeles, eventually making her way north to San Mateo. When she saved enough money, she convinced her mother, Bertha Sims, to join her.

Through hard work, often three jobs simultaneously she assisted her mother and sister. In 1952 she financed and built her home despite substantial objections from her husband. She cooked in local restaurants did domestic work and catered parties. Eventually her culinary skills yielded an abundance of lucrative catering jobs for local doctors and professionals. Her pound cakes, cheese cakes, sweet potato pies, and standing rib roasts, among others, were in high demand at those events and graciously shared with friends, and neighbors.

She approached her long days with quiet strength and good will she showed in all her work. When disturbed by something she couldn’t impact, her continuous council was: “Let it go.” This oft practiced approach worked well in her long, challenging life.

Through it all Lenore’s resilient spirit remained positive and gentle. Ultra age brought increased grace, happiness deepened. Countless raucous Uno and Domino games echoed from her kitchen table. She became a beloved friend and companion outlasting three husbands, the last being Julien Hicks.

She was an inspiration to all who knew her--led an inspired life. Case in point: In 1950 her emotions ran to a white baby whom she began calling her “white son”—which baffled friends. When he soon dreamed of becoming Roy Rogers, she often donned a toy pistol and holster and became Dale (after Dale Evans), a nickname those closest to her came to know throughout her life. The boy (and later his wife) remained close to Lenore through death, overseeing her care. In her 70s and 80s Lenore traveled the world with them. The wife called Lenore every single night. The boy grew to become a globally successful businessman. A life like Lenore’s you simply can’t make up.

Lenore’s life reminds us that choosing to be fulfilled despite the varied hands we are dealt leads to profound, serene happiness. Her life of usefulness, happiness and love spread to so many who knew her. She will be deeply missed and long remembered by those who had the great good fortune to know her.