After an amazing life of nearly 86 years, Elizabeth A. (McCord) Hickey was called home to her loving God on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY.
The daughter of the late Chester and Gertrude McCord, Elizabeth (or “Betty”, as she was known to friends and family) was born in Kingston on April 22, 1937. After a career of bringing life into the world as an OB-GYN labor and delivery nurse, she married John J. Hickey of White Plains on April 19, 1969, and eventually settled into their home at 28 Josephine Avenue in uptown Kingston. They were happily married for over 35 years, until God called him home in April 2004. A lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Church in Kingston, Elizabeth remained active in their church choir for many years and facilitated many pro-life events and fundraisers at St. Joseph’s and the community, a cause near and dear to her heart. Her faith, including a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, guided her throughout her life, helped shape her as a parent and sustained her during the medical challenges she faced in her later years.
A devoted, kind and faithful mom, Elizabeth is survived by her eternally thankful children, John, Jr., Patrick (Jodi) Hickey, Brian (Courtney Edwards) Hickey, Joseph (Sarah Nandor) Hickey, Thomas (Abbie) Hickey, Maureen (Michael) Braren and Andrew (Lori) Hickey. She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren, Jonah, Kealy, Paige, Madison, Jacob, Jeffrey, Megan, Miranda, Georgia, Brodie, Lucy, Daniel, Sean and Connor, with whom she treasured every moment spent together. Elizabeth is also survived by her brother William (Bill) McCord and his wife, Amy, and two sisters, Virginia (Ginny) Bonavita and Susan McCord, her sister-in-law, Diane McCord and brother-in-law, Frank Allgaier. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her sister, Joan (McCord) Allgaier, her brother, Allen McCord, and brother-in-law, Frank Bonavita. The love, support and caring she received from her siblings continue to inspire her children and grandchildren to this day. For over 50 years, she was blessed to be part of the Hickey family as well. She and John (or “JJ” as he was called by his parents and siblings) spent many great times with his in-laws and shared their love of family, humor and fun. She is predeceased by her father and mother-in-law, Vincent and Ruth Hickey, brothers-in-law, Vincent (James) Hickey, Arthur Hickey, Stephen Hickey, Michael Hickey and Richard Martin, and sisters-in-law, Kathleen (Hickey) Martin, Dorothy Hickey and Ellen Hickey. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Daniel Hickey and his wife, Lee, and her sisters-in-law Maureen Van Loan (her nursing school classmate), Concepcion Hickey, Ceil Hickey, and Charlyn Hickey. Her many cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren throughout the McCord and Hickey families held a very special place in her heart as well.
A warm thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Meadows at Brookmeade (The Baptist Home), Northern Dutchess Hospital, Thompson House and Ten Broeck Commons Rehab center for their professionalism and kindness, as well as Gloria Potter, Iris Shoemaker Wranovics and Lily Bammert, who lovingly provided her with at-home care over the past year.
Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401, where family and friends may visit on Friday, March 17, 2023, from 4pm to 8pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, 242 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401 at 10am on Saturday, March 18, 2023, followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Elizabeth’s memory to St. Joseph’s Church in Kingston or The Bravo Center (formerly known as The Pregnancy Support Center of Ulster County), also located in Kingston. To leave an expression of sympathy for the family, please visit www.KeyserFuneralService.com.
