Ana Hick

“Every man dies.  Not every man really lives.”  ~William Wallace

Ana Hick (aka Anita, Mom, LaLa, Grandma Ana, Mamacita) went home to our Lord on May 24, 2023.  She was 86 years old.  The oldest of five children, she was born on March 18, 1937 in Madrid, Spain to the late Alberto Choya Delgado and Ana Millán Rojas.  Ana graduated from the University of Madrid, Spain with a degree in Education.  She had a long career in teaching, touching the lives of many students in Spain, Paris, France; London, England; and the Washington, D.C. area.  Ana was a member of St. Michael’s Church in Annandale, VA for 41 years where she was an active member of the Legion of Mary.  She spent the last five and ½ years worshiping with The Daughters of Holy Mary of the Heart of Jesus as well as Triumph of the Cross in Steubenville, OH. Her strong faith was a guiding force through-out her life and the Mass and Rosary were her favorite prayers.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years William, her parents Alberto and Ana,  sister Teresa (Mother Superior, Carmelites), as well as her brothers-in-law Ed, Walter, and Ron.  She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her three children David Hick (Maria) of Lisbon, Portugal, Anne Fortunato (David) of Wintersville, OH, and Charles Hick (Holly) of Mingo Junction, OH as well as a brother Alberto Choya Millan (Charo) of Madrid, Spain; two sisters, Francisca and Maria Louisa Choya Millan of Madrid Spain; sisters-in-law Alice Hick, Dorothy Hick, and Ruth Nolde, brother-in-law Robert (Cheryl), three grandchildren Aiden and Gianna Minch-Hick,  Nicholas Fortunato (Eunbi), one great-granddaughter Harper, and Goddaughter Leia Therese Hunt.  She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces throughout the United States.

In her free time her love of travel led her to adventures all over the United States and the world including celebrating her son’s wedding in Portugal, visiting family in Spain, riding elephants in India, walking on the Great Wall of China, sipping Vodka and cranberry in Russia, participating in a cattle drive in Argentina, visiting her daughter in Alaska and engaging in glacier hiking and whale watching, flying the summit of Mt. Everest, helicoptering over Guaíra Falls along the border of Paraguay and Brazil, as well as walking in the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land (a pilgrimage she stated everyone should make no matter your Faith.) Family meant everything to her and she selflessly took care of her husband of 40 years as well as all her loved ones. Ana was a Military Spouse, an Army mother and grandmother.  She  supported Military charities for both Active Duty as well as Veteran causes including the The National Association of Blind Veterans, USO, and CARE for Our Wounded Soldiers.  Ana was a lifelong learner and was proud she recently passed her driver’s test on her 86th birthday! Her other interests and passions included blessing her family and friends with opportunities for adventures and creating  lasting memories, knitting (especially scarves for charity), spending time at the family condo in Ocean City, MD, playing piano (she was an accomplished pianist in her younger years), getting together with family and friends to play cards (Kings in the Corner!),taking long walks, camping, birdwatching, engaging in activities at Prime Time (Bingo, various classes or lectures), collecting stamps, Wheel of Fortune, cooking, health & wellness, reading, enjoying McDonald’s ice cream cones, and hiking. Friends and Family will be received on Saturday, June 10th from  9:30 a.m. until the start of Mass (celebrated by Fr. Jonathan St. Andre) at 11 a.m. in the Oratory of the former St. Pius (700 Lovers Lane, Steubenville, OH on the property of The Daughters of Holy Mary of the Heart of Jesus.)  Burial (and a second Mass for friends in the Washington, D.C. area) will take place at Ft. Myer Chapel, VA and Arlington National Cemetery at a later date to be determined.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Leia’s Kids (a charity founded by Ana’s Goddaughter and cancer survivor Leia Hunt to support families battling childhood cancer) at www.leiaskids.org  or to The National Association of Blind Veterans www.nfb.org

 “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  ~Joshua 1:9