Shirley Hicks Boatwright

Shirley Mae Hicks Boatwright, 87, of Topeka died March 31 at Midland Hospice House. She was born December 17, 1930 in Florence, KS, the youngest daughter of James L. and Marie (Alexander) Hicks. Shirley attended Topeka public schools including Sumner Elementary and Roosevelt Junior High, graduating from Topeka High School in 1948. She attended Washburn University and graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 1952. Shirley was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities (1952), was a member of NONOSO Honorary Women's Society, received the Oxford Alumni of the Year Award and served on the Washburn University Alumni Association Board of Directors. She was a lifelong member of Delta Gamma Sorority serving as Pan-Hellenic President, Alumni President, and Chairman and Treasurer of the House Corporation. Shirley returned to college attending Emporia State University for her specialist certificate in Library Science. She taught school in Ferguson, MO and Prairie Village, KS in addition to teaching and serving as librarian in Topeka 501 Schools. Shirley married Paul L. Boatwright December 17, 1951. They celebrated their 66th anniversary in December. Shirley and Paul have been active members of Crestview United Methodist Church for more than 50 years. Shirley served on the Board of Trustees, as a Sunday school teacher and librarian and sang in the choir. Supportive of her husband's professional associations, Shirley served as President of the Shawnee County Dental Auxiliary and Legislative Chairman of the Kansas State Dental Auxiliary. She was an avid reader and loved music, rodeos, and history. She spent hours tracing her own family history back generations. She served on the Shawnee County Historical Society Board of Directors and was the recipient of the Junior League's Volunteer award for service to the community. Shirley was a woman of strong faith and devotion and a dedicated daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Paul and Shirley were blessed with three sons: Mike (Brenda) of Wamego; Todd (Marci) and their children Clay, Carly, and Courtney of Parker, CO; and Matt (Patti) and their children Miranda and Austin. She was preceded in death by her parents Jim and Marie Hicks and her sister Audrey Jackson of Patterson, NY. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, 10 a.m. at Crestview United Methodist Church, 2245 SW Eveningside Drive, in Topeka. Visitation will be held Wednesday 5-7 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road Topeka KS 66614. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to: Crestview UMC, 2245 Eveningside Drive, Topeka, KS 66614; Topeka Jazz Workshop, P.O. Box 452, Topeka, KS 66601; or Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615.

Shirley Hicks Boatwright

December 17, 1930 - March 31, 2018