Nicole Ann Neely Hike's Obituary
Nicole Ann Neely Hike, R.N., passed away suddenly on July 11, 2014. Born in Meadowbrook, PA, Nicole was 39 years old. She was a resident of Maple Shade, NJ.
Nicole was employed as a registered nurse for Underwood Memorial Hospital/Inspira Health Care, Woodbury, NJ.
Loving mother of the late Craig and the late Kevin Hike. Beloved daughter of Ronald A. and Helen B. (nee Byrne) Neely. Sister of Ronald (Lise) Neely and John (Lori) Neely. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many close friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Nicole's Life Celebration Gathering Wednesday evening 7-9 p.m. and Thursday 9-10 a.m. at Inglesby/Givnish of Maple Shade, 600 East Main Street. Her Funeral Mass will follow 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Maple Shade. Interment, alongside her children, will take place at Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Hospital for Children, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org.
Nicole Ann Neely Hike's Eulogy, written and read by her brother, Ron Neely, at her funeral on Thursday, July 17, 2014:
Those of us who knew my sister – those of us who loved her - knew Nicole loved to talk. Yes Nikki would talk about pretty much anything - and talk - and talk. Yet it is hard to find words to describe her. Nicole also intently listened. At many of our large family gatherings she would make a point to speak with each of us and take genuine interest in what we had to say: whether she was asking Mark about his art and bikes, or Melissa about her dreams, teasing my Dad, or listening about some difficult time we were going through. She always responded with a genuine, generous, and giving heart. Deep in our hearts we most want to ask her what she would say today – and would give anything to hear her voice reply.
Nicole faced so many challenges in life. And in each of them she always found her way to through to the sunshine that holds the clouds in the sky. At an early age Nicole had epilepsy which made school difficult for her – but Nicole decided she was going to be a Registered Nurse and she worked hard her whole life and achieved it – graduating 2nd in her class at the Helene Fuld School of Nursing. And as a nurse she cared tenderly for her patients and made it a priority to treat them with respect and compassion. And, as many of her friends can attest, this was more important to Nikki than rules or operating procedures.
When Nicole was born she was such a beautiful baby. My mother and father watched her grow into a beautiful woman. She will be in their hearts and they will miss her forever.
Nicole wanted above all things to be a mother and to share her love and compassion with children of her own. She worked with fertility doctors and willed into being her two sons: Craig and Kevin – each of whom died shortly after they were born. This could easily be more than anyone could bear. Yet Nicole found words in a poem she wrote:
“Our Angel”
We close our eyes and see your precious face
With hopes and dreams for a long, warm embrace
To touch and to hold you
To rock you to sleep
In our hearts and minds we will always keep
Open our eyes and you are gone
To heaven is now where you belong
Where God will shine upon you loving face
Protect and keep you in his warm embrace
Where angels praise and guide us along our way
We love and will miss you is all we can say.
With a promise we will be there with you some day.
Nicole. When we close our eyes we see your precious face. We know you always keep your promises, and we know that you are now in heaven with your sons whom you loved so much. We love you. We will miss you.
And unlike the time when you were small and mom told you were not allowed out – there will be no hiding and getting stuck inside the clothes washer. Mom found you and started laughing, and you said “It’s not funny. It’s hot in here.” Mom thought we would have to call the fire department to get you out. All of the sudden you flipped around and mom got you out.
And unlike your first fashion show where Aunt Angie made you beautiful outfits including a blue and white two piece bathing suit you will now have strut your beauty inside our hearts.
While you liked Donny and Marie so much so that when you were 4 you wore purple socks and chanted “we want Donny, we want Donny” all by yourself when waiting for Donny and Marie to come on stage at the concert our parents took us to - I remember most of all - your first and favorite musical was Annie.
I don’t know how many of you remember 8 track tapes. Somehow these tapes would just keep playing forever and ever. Well my mom bought Nicole an 8 track of Annie and she played it over and over again for days and weeks at a time. It drove me and my brother nuts. She would have her friends over and they would all sing it together. The song “Tomorrow” was Nicole’s theme song. It was the love and hope of it that she wanted most for herself and each of us. And it is what she would want to come true for all of us.
So Nicole this song is for you. Please join me in lifting our voices in tribute to Nicole. The words are printed in your Program for Mass.
"Tomorrow"
The sun’ll come out tomorrow.
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun!
Just thinkin’ about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow, ‘til there’s none!
When I’m stuck with a day that’s gray and lonely
I just stick out my chin and grin and say:
Oh! The sun’ll come out tomorrow,
So you got to hang on till tomorrow, come what may!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow you’re always a day a way!
The sun’ll come out tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun!
Just thinkin’ about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow, ‘til there’s none!
When I’m stuck with a day that’s gray and lonely
I just stick out my chin and grin and say:
Oh! The sun’ll come out tomorrow,
Oh! I got to hang on till tomorrow, come what may!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow you’re always a day a way!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow you’re only a day away!
What’s your fondest memory of Nicole Ann?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nicole Ann?
Share a story where Nicole Ann's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nicole Ann you’ll never forget.
How did Nicole Ann make you smile?
