Mother, nurse, protector loved simple life with her family
Eleanor Mae (Lickwar) Hayes, 83, of Barrington, RI., died peacefully at her daughter's home on Saturday, Jan. 7, with her loving family by her side, following a brief period of declining health. She was positive, cheerful, brave and full of love to the end.
Ellie was born in New Britain, Ct. to the late Jennie and Robert Lickwar. She enrolled in nursing school after high school and practiced in the New Britain area before moving to Barrington in 1974 to take a position at Rhode Island Hospital. She worked nights there for nearly 30 years, and later nursed at the former Desilets nursing home and Hattie Ide Chafee, before fully retiring.
Ellie worked hard, led a simple life and proudly raised three children, Margaret Correia (Brian Thalmann) of Barrington, John Hayes (Erika DeRoche) of Medford, Ma. and Ted Hayes (Allysen Callery) of Bristol, RI. Her kids were her world, and she managed to give them a full, rich life despite the many obstacles that fell in her way.
Like her children she was quick to laugh, and the smallest things would often send her into a fit - The 'bring out your dead' scene in Monty Python's "The Holy Grail" was one of them, as were Gary Larson's Far Side cartoons (especially the boneless chicken ranch), and, most often, the simple silliness of everyday life.
She was a diehard Patriots and Red Sox fan and loved Carl Yastrzemski, Dwight Evans, Marty Barrett, and others who were loyal to their team - a trait she greatly admired. One of her favorite things in the world was to hear Joe Castiglione call out 'Can you believe it!' She always thought baseball was better on the radio than TV. She enjoyed going to Fenway for a game and never turned down a sausage and pepper grinder on Yawkey Way.
Ellie was a voracious reader and regularly finished two or three books a week. Mysteries were her favorite, especially the works of Agatha Christie (and, purportedly, PD James). She was forever knitting, crocheting, embroidering and quilting, and her children's homes are filled with the beautiful fruits of her labor. She loved the work of Norman Rockwell and enjoyed visiting his museum with her sons. She found joy in planting and tending to flowers, most recently a beautiful bunch of wildflowers brought to her by her son John that bloomed brightly all summer despite the heat and drought.
In her last few years, Ellie loved spending time with her family by taking regular lunches and scenic drives or spending Sunday afternoons playing cards and watching sports. Among her favorite local eateries to visit with Ted were Van's Spa in Bristol, Commons Lunch in Little Compton, Amaral's in Warren and Schultzy's in Portsmouth. She also loved getting lobster rolls and sitting at Barrington Beach with son John or granddaughters Hanna and Mary. Over the years, she and her grandson Tim became regulars at Town Pizza in Riverside, where they loved eating Italian grinders together.
A devout Catholic, Ellie was a communicant of St. Luke's Church in Barrington and in her final days was comforted greatly by her faith, and the knowledge that she'd soon be reunited with her beloved mother, sister and brother.
Besides her children, she leaves her cherished grandchildren, Tanner Arsenault, Ava Callery, Mary Correia, Timothy Correia, Hanna Ferreira (husband Josh) and Paul (PJ) Thalmann. Her grandchildren will forever carry treasured memories of her love of reading, her delight in simple pleasures and her talent for having a song or saying for everything. Last year she was tickled pink to welcome great-grandson Henry; she delighted in his every stage.
Ellie also leaves behind her Connecticut family: brother Deacon Carl Lickwar and wife Nancy, brother Paul Lickwar and wife Kathie, brother-in-law Paul Eshoo and her nieces, nephews and their families. She was a sister of the late Patricia Eshoo and David Lickwar.
Mom, we are sad beyond measure to say good-bye, but are comforted by the knowledge that you were ready, left happily and at peace, with nothing left unsaid. We will love and honor you forever; we are so proud to be your children.
Calling hours are respectfully omitted. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at St. Luke's Church, Washington Road, Barrington. A reception and celebration of Ellie's life will follow.
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