Frances A. "Fran" (Dargan) Hicks passed away after a lengthy illness, at her home in Valrico, FL on March 22, 2009. She was 66 years of age. Born in Cambridge, MA on June 10, 1942 to the late George & Mary (Hurley) Dargan. Frances was raised in Cambridge and graduated from St. Mary's High School in Cambridge. She lived in Medford for several years, Melrose for over 40 years and the past 5 years in Florida. Mrs. Hicks was a dedicated homemaker; prior to having children she worked as a secretary for John Hancock Insurance Company in Boston. After starting her family, she worked as a private nanny, a lunch mother, for the Elmhurst Nursing Home in Melrose and for Shaw's Supermarket in Melrose. She was first and foremost a loving wife, a dedicated mother & grandmother who cherished times spent with her family. Fran was an avid reader, enjoyed writing in her journal, liked game shows and would never pass up a good yard sale. Mrs. Hicks enjoyed her family trips to NH, Santa's Village, Storyland and Foxwoods. Frances was the beloved wife of William L. Hicks. Devoted mother of Deirdre Lopez & her former husband Oscar of Derry, NH, William L. Hicks Jr. & his wife Judith of Melrose, Shawn Hicks & his partner Philip Galotta of Dunedin, FL, Daniel Hicks & his wife Lisa of Woburn & Jason Hicks of Derry, NH. Cherished grandmother of Nicholas & Bianca Lopez of Derry, NH and Mary & Luke Hicks of Melrose. Loving sister of George Dargan of Medford, Mariene Benoit & her husband Henry of Wells, ME, John Dargan of Melrose, Lorraine Flaherty & her husband Paul of Melrose, Bernadine Wall & her husband John of Medford and Joan Dargan of London, England. Sister-in-law of Alicia Dargan of Stoneham. Life-long & dear friend of Geraldine Joyce of FL. Also survived by many nieces & nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Monday, March 30th at 9AM. Funeral Mass in The Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Wakefield at 10AM. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours Sunday 2-6PM. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The National Pancreas Foundation, 364 Boylston Street, 4th Floor Boston, MA 02116.