Maria Felicita Victoria Hickman

It is with a broken heart we share the passing of our beloved sister, aunt, cousin, Godmother, friend, Mrs. Victoria Benavidez Hickman. On May 31, 2025 our Lord called His servant home. We were blest with her for 90 years.

Born on April 23, 1935 to Miguel and Abedona Benavidez in Montezuma, NM. She was the eldest daughter of seven children. A loving, caring, nurturing, generous, protective, helpful big sister.

She met and married the love of her life, Lloyd Hickman, in the ‘70s and they shared 43 years of love. Their home was wherever they were together. They lived in Montezuma, Albuquerque, Bosque Farms, El Porvenir/Gallinas. The latter, was their home to their family. Many precious memories were made there.

Vickie, as she was affectionately known, was a beautiful remarkable woman. Our Lord blessed her with many talents and gifts, and she used them wisely. Her younger years were spent helping her parents with household and outdoor chores or tasks that needed to be done, taking care of her siblings and elders. She attended West Las Vegas Schools. She held numerous jobs (housecleaning, hairdresser, host, waitress, cook/chef, childcare, to name a few). She completed trainings and received numerous certificates. She attended and graduated from Heights Beauty College in the early’70s.

An excellent cook (her famous waffles were made with love and out of this world - delicious). She enjoyed going to the hot baths, and for walks (long, real walks not just a stroll) with her loyal companion (dog Lady), her neighbors, nieces, nephews and Godchildren. She loved to dance and would whirl you around long after the song was over.

A lifelong devout Catholic she lived for and loved our Lord, Blessed Mother, Holy Family and the Holy Spirit. You could feel our Lords presence when in hers. She was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows throughout her childhood and after marrying. Her and her husband served as Eucharistic Ministers both in church and to the homebound. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters and attended and assisted with many church functions. Every year she faithfully attended the Charismatic Conference in Glorieta.

She was a Foster Parent with her husband for many years. Upon the death of her husband she moved to Albuquerque then to Rio Rancho. She attended both the Church of Incarnation and St. John Vianney where she was known as “auntie”. She loved going to the Senior Center where she enjoyed exercising, playing games, talking with her peers and watching them play pool.

She is preceded in death by her loving parents Miguel and Abedona Benavidez. Her loving husband Lloyd Hickman and Lady their loyal companion. Mother and father-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Hickman. Sisters; Clara Jordan and Maria “Mary” Brewer. Brothers; Benjamin “Ben” Benavidez, Roberto “Bobby” Benavidez.
Sisters-in-law Senaida “Sadie” Benavidez, Lucille Hickman, Brother-in-law JD Jordan. Nieces; Tonia Benavidez, Francesca Benavidez, Paige Benavidez, Carla Benavidez, Anita Heflin. Nephews; Alex Benavidez, Steve Jordan, Christopher Benavidez, Kenneth Maese

She is survived by her brothers; Horacio Benavidez and Tony (Cathy) Benavidez all of Montezuma, brother-in-law John Brewer Arlington, Godchildren Joseph Jordan-Allen of SLC and Jezzria Jordan Lowery of Albuquerque, numerous nieces and nephews including grand and great grand. Members of the Hickman family. Foster children Jessica, Mikey and Antonio and their families.

Her big bright warm welcoming smile was like a hug. Her laugh was contagious, you just couldn’t help but laugh even if you didn’t know the reason. She is deeply loved and dearly missed, forever. She is reunited with the love of her life, whom she missed so very very much. They’re in each other’s arms dancing to “I Believe in You” by Don Williams.

Her family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to Melissa and Gary Gold (and their immediate family) for taking in and caring for Aunt Vickie the past 6 years. And to Kenneth, Cindy and Mark for visiting and taking auntie out on dates.

We also wish to thank the staff at Presbyterian Rust Hospital and BeeHive Care Facility in Rio Rancho

Services will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows in Las Vegas, NM. Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 7:00pm. Mass, Friday, June 27, 2025 at 9:00am followed by burial in Montezuma and reception at the VFW in Las Vegas.