Hickling, Helen Kathryn

Helen Kathryn Hickling, 88, formerly of Fletcher, N.C., passed away on Friday, April 22, 2011, at her son’s home in Christiansburg, Va. She was born in Brahm, Minn., and received her BSN at the University of Minnesota, where she taught nursing arts. Helen was a wonderful mother to her four children, grandmother to her 10 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren, and a much respected teacher. She was an active member of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, worked as a volunteer in the National Braille Association assisting visually impaired children by transcribing books, and was an avid golfer and lover of animals. Helen and Bill Hickling enjoyed living in many parts of the country and developed many lasting friendships wherever they lived and traveled. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin Johnson and Sadie Goetz; her eldest son, William C. Hickling III; and her granddaughter, Danielle Starr. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, William Clark Hickling Jr.; three children and their families, Claudia Starr, Daniel and Anne Hickling, and Andrew and Sabrina Hickling; nine grandchildren, Tregei and Paul Beare, Ariel Starr, Andrew, Christopher, and Alexandra Hickling, William Clark Hickling IV, Rebecca, Laura, and Laban Hickling; and two greatgrandchildren, Benjamin Beare and Abigail Hickling. The family would like to thank Debra Corbit and her caregivers, Good Samaritan Hospice, and Ian Bishop for their friendship and care. A Memorial Service will be held for family and friends at Christ Episcopal Church in Blacksburg at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2011. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Montgomery County Humane Society, P.O. Box 287, Blacksburg, VA 24063. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www. hornefuneralservice.com.