Barbara C. Hickey of Des Plaines for 65 years.

Born May 30, 1937, in Chicago, she died peacefully Saturday, August 30, 2025, surrounded by family. She was a proud graduate of Alvernia High School and Mundelein College in Chicago where she was a champion debater.  She later received a master's degree in education from Loyola University of Chicago.   Barbara spent 14 years teaching in private and public schools in the Chicago area.  The final 20 years of her career were spent in the development of school programs and training educators in methods to enhance the educational learning experience for children with learning challenges.

After retiring, she shifted her focus to the Cancer Institute at Alexian Brother Hospital volunteering several days a week for nearly twenty years.  In 2004 she was awarded the Pelican Award, "for demonstrating and exhibiting sensitivity and generosity to patients, staff, and visitors".

Barbara was equally dedicated to supporting her children and grandchildren's activities, whether they were musical, academic or athletic, local or across the country.

Barbara and her husband Robert J. Hickey, of 45 years, were founding members of St. Zachary Catholic Church in Des Plaines.  Barbara shared her talents in assisting in the development of St. Zachary's religious education program for special needs children. She remained active in parish life as a eucharistic minister and other volunteer activities.

The Junior Women's Club of Des Plaines was a special organization for Barbara where she held officer positions and committee chairmanships. The Juniors Women's Club was dedicated to helping the community via service projects, providing scholarships to students, and providing fellowship and leadership development to members.  She was active through the many years as a member in both the Juniors Club and the Past-Presidents group.

Inspired by her mother and her own love of music, she held officer positions in the Dempster Junior High summer band camp organization and the Forest View High School Band Booster organization.

Music was also intertwined with Barbara's passion for travel. Barbara traveled extensively, starting with many family trips as a child through the western United States and Mexico and culminating in a European excursion with her brother as a teenager. This introduction opened the door to a lifetime love of travel. Traveling companions throughout her life included her husband Robert, her growing family of children and grandchildren, dear friends Harold and Diane Schefdore, and Peggy Anderson and Stacy Clift. Her travels took her to Canada for concerts and musicals and throughout the British Isles and Europe. But Barbara was equally happy rambling through the countryside observing nature and farm life.

Barbara was the loving mother of Alison Marie (Neil) Collignon of Santa Claus, IN. and Robert J. (Gina) Hickey, Jr. of Hawthorn Woods, IL.; proud grandmother of Zachary (Adrienne), Alexander and Noah Collignon and Rachel, Rebecca, Ryan and Riley Hickey; loving great-grandmother of Isaac, Evan, Owen and Adalynn Collignon.  She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Robert J. Hickey, parents Frank and Marie (Lorenz) Covey, and brother Frank M. Covey, Jr.

Memorials may be made to the Ascension Illinois Foundation to support the Cancer Institute at Ascension Alexian Brothers Hospital where Barbara volunteered, https://www.ascensionillinoisfoundation.org/give .

Visitation will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 12:30 pm until the time of Mass at 1:30 pm at St. Zachary Parish, 567 W Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines, IL. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL. Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home. For information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit www.glhillsfuneralhome.com .