Skip to content

Wicks, Sophia Christina Agnes

August 29, 1916 ~ January 16, 2013


It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Agnes Wicks. She passed quietly on January 16, 2013 in

the presence of her son Bob and her daughter-in-law Chris

at Ridgewood Lodge, in Princeton, B.C.

Agnes spent her younger years in south Vancouver, some distance from the end of the streetcar. As she said, “we walked through the forest about a mile to get the streetcar to town”. She “finished” school at grade 8.

Agnes had a brother Ken Owens and his wife Phillis also “90 somethings” that recently passed on, a warm and loving sister Mary, who passed many years back and brother John Owens (wife Sheila) who is the survivor of the four siblings.

Agnes worked on the streetcars during the war years as a Conductor.

She met Lyle Wicks (a motorman on the cars) over whom she was “boss”. That really did not change a great deal over the 63 years of marriage. Their life in Haney and then Victoria was active and rich.

They returned to Lyle’s place of roots (Maple Ridge/Haney B.C.) in 2002 where he passed in 2004.

Lyle brought a new dimension to the life of Agnes.

After a stint driving buses for B.C. Electric in Vancouver, he embarked on a successful career in provincial politics. He, with others, founded the B.C. Social Credit Party in the late 1940’s.

He and Agnes were politicians of the old school (honest, dedicated, and together relentless advocates for his constituents).

He served the Province of British Columbia for close to a decade as Minister of Labour, Commercial Transport and Railways. Agnes worked tirelessly by his side, hosting endless political events, campaigning, and generally keeping the home fires burning for her tireless cabinet minister.

Agnes blossomed from her humble beginnings. She learned to grasp political life with a glint in her eye and a regal manner, including Government House functions and balls, introductions to visiting royalty, and official functions of political life.

She was proud to view from the “members’ gallery” her Lyle addressing Mr. Speaker and the assembled members of the legislature. She also enjoyed the friends and activities of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of the Nile.

Agnes was active in lawn bowling, qualifying several years for the B.C. Summer games where she medalled regularly. She was an enthusiastic golfer, renowned for her putting.

She crocheted, knitted, did petit point, all to a very high standard.

There are heirlooms to pass on.

After Lyle passed, Agnes lived in Vancouver for a time and then joined Bob and Chris in Princeton in 2011. Agnes is survived by her son Bob, his wife Chris, and grandchildren Lauren (Ellis), Connor Wicks, and Lisa McLean, great grand children; Hayden, Preston, Hannah, and Brody, and by her niece Lynn Owens-Whalen and husband Wilf, and many relations near and far.

The family joins together in thanking the dedicated and caring staff and medical persons at Ridgewood Lodge and Princeton General Hospital for the care and attention she received in the past year. You all get a gold medal from Agnes.

Agnes, in the words of a friend, “has gone to a well deserved rest”.

She will be fondly remembered by very many for her smile and her dedicated manner.

~Farewell Mother~



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.