Ms. Marilyn Hickam's Obituary
Marilyn Z. Hickam, age 85 of Nashville, TN went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, April, 20, 2014, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Los Angeles, CA, she was the daughter of the late Rafa Flores and Anton Zeiter. Ms. Hickam moved to Nashville soon after she retired as a highly decorated officer with the rank of Major in the U.S. Army. Her company of fellow soldiers gave her the nickname “Major Z” which she adored. She served her country proudly for many years in the Vietnam War, as a RN nurse caring for and nursing thousands of soldiers during combat in Vietnam. Although many soldiers were brought to her with wounds that would ultimately take their lives, Marilyn went the extra mile with each and every one of them. She would personally mix up her special “porridge” as she called it, for those that were nearing the end, and keep them warm until they passed. Many years after the War ended, family members of fallen soldiers, as well as those that survived, wrote to Marilyn thanking her for the special attention, love, and care she gave their loved ones.
She loved antiquing all over Nashville as well as attending two well-known state event’s “The Greek Festival of Nations” in Nashville, and “The Historic Jonesborough Story Teller’s Festival.” She enjoyed traveling and lived all over the world. Though she didn’t have any immediate living family, Marilyn accepted anyone into her loving life. She loved to be called “Ablouetta”, (Little Spanish Granny) because that is what she called her own grandmother whom she loved so much. She spent many holidays and special occasions with her best friends, all of who had adopted her into their own families. When Marilyn attended family functions she was always a highlight and a joy to have. She was full of life and colorful stories that everyone enjoyed and still remember to this day. Marilyn may not have had any immediate family, but anyone she ever met quickly learned she would be more than a friend.
A devout Catholic, Marilyn continued to show her exemplary form of love and kindness to all those around her including her much beloved cats, Spencer, Lily, Felix and Toppsy. She created a home where all were welcome and enjoyed spending the majority of her time with her “Nashville Family” and best friends, JoAnne Parchman, Jenny Duke, Heather Moody, the late Dorothy Hemphill, with whom she was like a member of the family, Helen Emerton, Gwynn Shipp, and all of the ladies of 3831 West End Avenue.
Ms. Hickam was preceded in death by her mother, father, and loving grandmother Guadeloupe, and distant cousin Frances Quiones.
Survived by cousins, Barbara Farren of Sacramento, California, Henry Williams of San Francisco, California, and Matthew Quiones of Washington, D.C.
Goodbye Major Z. Our dear Abuelita, we will always love you.
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