April 13, 1941 – January 23, 2026

Sarah “Eileen” (Hickson) Mehnert, 84, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, in Friendswood, Texas, after being diagnosed with CMS lymphoma of the brain a year earlier.

Eileen was born on Easter Sunday on a farm in Markleysburg, Pennsylvania, on April 13, 1941, to John Roland Hickson and Blanche Keller Hickson.

She grew up in the country with her siblings, Jay Hickson, Bonnie Wilson, and Joan Jefferson. Her father was a Pentecostal minister for 20 years before becoming a Methodist minister, and from a young age Eileen shared her musical talents by playing the piano for church services three times a week. She knew every hymn by heart and could begin singing any one of them at a moment’s notice.

For nearly 40 years, Eileen worked for Friendswood Independent School District. Her career included serving as secretary to two highly respected junior high principals, receptionist at the high school in the 1980s, secretary to the high school assistant principal, and administrative assistant to the assistant superintendent.

It was a lifelong goal of Eileen’s, dating back to her high school years, to move to Texas. Inspired by the western television shows she watched on Saturday mornings, she dreamed of living in Texas and was truly happy to call it home.

In her early family life, Eileen was an avid league bowler and volunteered with Welcome Wagon. She was also a talented seamstress, making many matching outfits for herself and her daughter. She delighted in driving fun cars, including her 1966 Mustang, a little red Miata, and a yellow convertible.

Eileen was an enthusiastic bridge player for many years, sharing countless games with close friends. She remained active in local school events, including high school football games, musicals, and drill team championships. She loved to travel and visited Austria, Italy, Greece, and Egypt. A devoted member of Friendswood Methodist Church, Eileen sang in the church choir and also performed with the bluegrass band Glory.

She is survived by her daughter, Donna Mehnert; her son, R.J. Mehnert; and her sisters, Bonnie Wilson and Joan Jefferson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Mehnert; her brother, Jay Hickson; and her parents, John R. Hickson and Blanche Hickson.

Friends are invited to the Visitation with family on Friday, January 30 from 5-7pm at Jeter’s Funeral Home in Friendswood, Texas. A church service will follow the next day, Saturday January 31at Friendswood Methodist Church at 11:00 AM in Friendswood, Texas. A reception will be at La Casita in Friendswood after the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Hospital or Friendswood EMS Service.