Eloise Lane Hicks, a resident of Westbury for over 50 years and former director of the Westbury-based Hicks Nurseries, died on Friday, May 3 at St. Mary's Hospital in Langhorne, PA. She was 93.

Born Eloise Lane on October 14, 1908 in Brooklyn, Ms. Hicks graduated from the Packer Institute, a private Brooklyn high school, before attending Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and economics in 1930 and soon began working at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City. In 1937, she married the late Edwin Hicks, fourth of six generations to own and manage the 150-year-old Hicks Nurseries on Jericho Turnpike. Shortly after her husband's death in 1992, Ms. Hicks moved to Quaker senior care facility in Newtown, PA.

During the 50 plus years she lived in Westbury, Ms. Hicks was a dedicated supporter of education and the community. When her four children were young, she was involved in the Westbury Cooperative Nursery School and subsequently served on numerous school PTAs. She was a founder of the Westbury Friends School, a private Quaker school established in the late 1950s, and served on its board until her death. When the school came up for accreditation in 1966 it was in need of a staff member with a master's degree. So Ms. Hicks returned to school, earning her master's degree in education from Hofstra University at the age of 58.

"When they needed someone with a master's degree in order to get accreditation, they did not have anyone and they couldn't afford to pay anyone to get it," said Ms. Hicks' son, Fred. "So my mother went out and got it herself. She was devoted and determined to the school."

Ida Edelman, director of the Westbury Friends School, agreed, saying, "She was very dedicated to the children and always respected education. Up until the time she moved, Eloise was always here at the school. She was instrumental in keeping the school going. It was such an important part of her life."

As part of the Hicks family, gardening was an important part of Ms. Hicks' life, serving as a member of the Henry Hicks Garden Club of the Westburys until the club disbanded a few years ago. She was also involved with the Westbury Recreation Commission, helping to develop their highly respected Senior Citizen Program and served as a board member for many years.

In 1957, the Recreation Commission honored Ms. Hicks as "Westbury Citizen of the Year" and, in 1980, the Westbury/Carle Place Rotary Club named her "Citizen of the Year" for all her work in the community. Ms. Hicks was also a long-time board member at Westbury Neighborhood House - a local non-profit organization that provides clothing, food, referral services and counseling to more than 1,700 members of the Westbury, Old Westbury, New Cassel and Carle Place communities.

"She absolutely lived life to the fullest," said Hicks. "Community service was important to her in whatever form it was needed, whether it was Neighborhood House, the Friends School, the senior citizens, Recreation Commission or any other way she was called on. She was enthusiastic, she was willing to take a stand and voice her position and she was determined. She fought hard for the things she believed in."

Charlotte Kraemer of Westbury first met Ms. Hicks in the mid-1940s when their children attended kindergarten together. "I worked with her on several PTAs, Neighborhood House and the board of directors of the Westbury Senior Center," she said. "She was a very friendly and outgoing person who was very community-minded and a dedicated volunteer with innovative ideas. [Eloise] Hicks was someone you would have loved to have as a friend."

Kraemer added that Ms. Hicks had a great knowledge of the community's history. "She knew so much. If you had questions or forgot something [about Westbury], all you had to do was ask her. She always had the answer."

When asked what he will miss about his mother the most, Hicks said, "To be quick and trite, I could say 'my mother. She was my mother.' She has always been there and it's hard, as is the case for everyone of us who has ever lost a parent."

In addition to her son, Ms. Hicks is survived by her three daughters, Patricia Kleis of Rescue, CA, Janet Johnson of Rockville, MD, and Susan Graveman of Morristown, NJ; 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 8 at the Friends Meeting House on Post Avenue in Westbury. Donations in Ms. Hicks memory can be made to the Friends School, 550 Post Avenue, Westbury, 11590. For more information, call 333-3178.