Ethel A. Hickey

Ethel was born in Liverpool, England to Florence Ada Gegg and William Ballard Gegg. In 1922 at age four, she immigrated from England to Halifax, NS on the S.S. Digby with her parents and four older siblings, Arthur, Florence Hilda, Ida and Stanley. The Gegg family traveled to Ithaca, NY where Ethel was to spend her childhood years. Ethel often reminisced about her happy childhood and time spent with her family and friends.

Ethel met the love of her life, Joseph C Hickey, while he was a student at Cornell University. They were married on September 9, 1944. Joe and Ethel moved to Maine and made their home in Falmouth where they lived for 55 years and raised their two children Alan and Joan. She and Joe loved to travel. In addition to their wider travels throughout the USA, Europe, Mexico and South America they cherished their weekend getaways . They had many wonderful friends and enjoyed get togethers with their neighbors at Mussel Cove. Their marriage of 68 years was one of love and devotion to each other and their children.

Ethel will be remembered for her beautiful fun loving spirit, her sense of humor, an infectious smile, her love of young children, her kindness towards others and the love she had for her husband and family. She enjoyed activities such sewing, baking, arts and crafts and working on the Christmas fairs at Holy Martyrs Catholic Church in Falmouth. Throughout her life she loved to be on the go…dancing, bowling, skiing, golfing, boating and trips to the beach. She cared for her grandchildren, attended their extracurricular and school activities, and cheered them on at sporting events. Once Alan and Joan went to college, Ethel started her work at a nursery school. She always had a special spot in her heart for young children.

Ethel was predeceased by her husband Joseph C. Hickey.

Ethel is survived by her son Dr. Alan J. Hickey and wife Dr. Margery Salter of Yarmouth, Maine; her daughter Joan Hale and husband William, of Brunswick, Maine; Surviving grandchildren are Rebecca Hale (Joshua Wilson) of Washington DC; Charles Hale (Kaitlin Hale) of Oakland, California; Christopher Hale of Atlanta, Georgia; Lynn Whiting (Richard Whiting) of Standish, Maine; Bryce Hickey (Leslie Hickey) of San Antonio, Texas. Great grandchildren include Liam, Julia, Corinna, Finley, Digby, Hannah, Elijah and Micah.

Ethel’s family would like to express their gratitude to “Neighbors”, Hospice, Avita and her loving caregivers who helped to support her during the end of her life.

A memorial reception will be held for friends and family at the home of Dr. Alan Hickey, 78 Eben Hill Road, Cousins Island, Yarmouth, Maine on November 5, 2017 from 1-3 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made In Memory of Ethel Hickey to CHANS Home Health Hopsice, 60 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, ME. 04011