1929 - 2015
Visitation
August 5, 20153:00P.M.-7:00P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
August 6, 20158:00AM
Dolan Funeral Home
Joyce M. Hickey, 86, of North Chelmsford, passed away on August 1, 2015 at the Apple Valley Nursing Home in Ayer, MA.
Joyce was married to John P. Hickey who celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on April 19, 2015.
She was the daughter of the late John F. and Agnes Casey of Methuen, MA.
Joyce moved to Methuen, MA when she was three. She attended local schools graduating from St. Augustine’s Grammar School, Lawrence, MA in 1943 and from St. Mary’s High School, Lawrence, MA in 1947. Upon her graduation she received the Gold Medal for Excellence. She also attended Emmanuel College in Boston.
She was employed in the business office of Merrimack College in N. Andover for several years until her marriage to John P. Hickey in April 1951. They spent their honeymoon in Norfolk, VA where she remained while her husband served aboard the USS Mississippi. In August of 1952, she returned to Methuen, MA to await the arrival of their first born, Barbara.
The family then moved to Nashua, NH and purchased their first home in 1958. While there she was employed as a billing clerk at Nashua Memorial Hospital. Another move to N. Chelmsford in 1963 where they built their home and raised three children. Barbara wife of James Kelleher, of Enfield, NH, Daniel, and Cary Hickey of Sandown, NH and Susan, wife of Robert Eldridge of Portland Oregon.
Joyce continued her hospital work until her retirement in June 1994 by being employed for 31 years at the Lowell General Hospital as a secretary in the Laboratory.
Besides her husband and her children, Joyce is survived by 3 sisters, Lee Pekarski of Lawrence, MA, Kathleen Carter of Dracut, MA and Joan Stewart of West Newbury, MA; 2 brothers, John Casey of North Carolina and Robert and his wife Carol Casey of Londonderry, NH; and 9 grandchildren, Kristen Kelleher of Manchester, NH Kathryn Kelleher of Quincy, MA, and James and his wife Janeen Kelleher of Boston, MA, Erin wife of Andrew McCabe of Lowell, MA, Daniel and Kyle Hickey of Sandown, NH, Nathan, husband of Michelle, Brett and Evan Eldridge, all of Portland, OR. She is also survived by two great grandchildren, Liam Michael Eldridge of Portland, OR and Emmett Daniel McCabe of Lowell, MA as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours Wed. 3 to 7 P.M. Funeral Thurs. at 8:00 a.m. from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, with a funeral Mass at 9:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church. Burial Fairview Cemetery, N. Chelmsford. Memorials may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 www.alzmass.org. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.
David and Teresa Heasty
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Susan and Hickey family – so sorry for your loss, our thoughts are with you all. Dave, Teresa, Katy and Bryan
Ann Hill
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I am so sad to hear of the passing of Aunty Joyce. I have many fond childhood memories of our families at the lake and at the beach house. May your memories get you through this difficult time and in time be a source of comfort. I am thinking of all of you.
Jim and Pearl Czerlonka
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John. So sorry to hear about Joyce. It has been a very long time since last we met. I am sure your 64 years were very happy and we hope that you can go on remembering the joyful times you have shared together. Wishing you the very best.
Debbie Hickey Forton
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May God’s comfort and peace be with Aunt Joyce’s family at this most difficult time. With deepest sympathy.
Donna McCarthy
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God looked around his garden and found an empty space.
Then he looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, he only takes the best.
Rest in peace Aunty Joyce. Thought and prayers are with Uncle Jack, Lee, Sue, Dan and their families. May your good memories help you through this difficult time.
Louis and Jean russo
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Barbara and Family- Please accept out condolences on the passing of your mother. We are sure that she went to heaven knowing that she had a loving daughter and family. Lou and Jean
The Wayfair Team
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Jim & family, our most sincere condolences on the loss of your Grandmother. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
George L. Banakos
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A neighbor and parent of Childhood friends!
Such a sweet woman. She will now fly with the angels.
My deepest sympathies to the her Family. May she rest in peace!
To the Mr.Hickey Dan, Bsrb and Susan I am so sorry for your loss! I have been away on vacation and I was saddened to hear of your loss.