"Brenda--thinking of you and yours in this hard time. Be grateful for the long life your mother had and the many memories you cherish."
In loving memory of
Esther Joyce Hickey
April 22, 1930 - January 21, 2022
Esther Joyce Hickey was born to Arthur Judson and Anna Mattingly Spaulding on April 22, 1930 in Ottawa, IL and died at her home on January 21, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, her parents, and sisters Lou Alice, Naomi, Anna Mae, and Etta Garnett and her brother, Arthur Judson (Art or Jud).
Joyce, as she was known, graduated from Mendota High School, Mendota, IL in 1948 and Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1951 as a Registered Nurse. She and Gerald were married in Chicago July 9, 1950. After graduating from nurse's training, Joyce and Gerald moved back to the Thurman, IA area. The first of their four children arrived January 1952. In 1953, they moved to Shenandoah. Joyce practiced nursing at Hand Community in Shenandoah and Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg and in public health until her retirement. She was an active Girl Scout leader from 1960 through 1974 and was a member of the DAR. In 1980, they moved to their beloved farm in Northboro. There they raised chickens, ducks, guineas, peacocks, cats, dogs, sheep, calves, pigs, horses, goats and a garden. Joyce canned or froze much of the produce from the garden.
She is survived by her children Paula Sothman of Shenandoah, IA, Brenda (Doug) Cappel of Deer Park, WA, Patsy (Gerry) Thoene of Hartington, NE, and Leonard (Shana) Hickey of Hinton, IA, her grandchildren Steve Cappel of Savannah, GA, Nick Wolff (special friend Diane) of Jackson, TN, Erin (Justin) Hurst of West Des Moines, IA, Leonard, jr aka Buddy (Brandy) Hickey of Stanton, IA, Angelina Cappel of Ft Collins, CO, Jessica (Dustin) Blair of Anderson, SC, Brian (Danea) Cappel of Denver, CO, Chris Hickey of Sioux City, IA, Liz (Ara) Bartemes of Fayetteville, NC and Jacob Hickey of Hinton, IA and 10 great grandchildren plus many loving family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life service is being planned for later.
Tributes
"Joyce was an awesome girl scout leader who impacted many, many girls in very positive way, including me. She was always positive and patient and helpful. Heaven is lucky to welcome her. She will be missed."
"Patsy..I will always remember your mom in the kitchen making sloppy joes. I think it was a Girl Scout meeting of some kind. I didn\'t join Scouts but will always remember your momma and how nice she was! Our prayers for your family!"
"I am so sorry to hear about Joyce?s passing. Many good memories of Joyce and Gerald. Lots of memories of with the Girl Scouts, camping, trips, and hanging out with them. "
"We have fond memories of Joyce and Gerald as wonderful neighbors and friends. Joyce always made the best gooseberry pies! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. ??? Randy & Elaine Farwell"
"\"A good Girl Scout is hard to beat!\" Many good memories of Scout trips and camping, Day camps, canoeing. My thoughts and prayers for all of you kids: Paula, Brenda, Patsy, and Lenard. ? Deb"
"My sympathy on the loss of your mother Brenda. "
"Aunt Joyce was always a beam of sunshine. She cherished her family and friends and was cherished in return. Joyce will be forever in my heart and beautiful in memory. Rest in peace. Love, Tina Schenck"
"Our condolences to the Hickey family. We both have good memories of our association with the Hickey children in our classes. Our thoughts are with you."
"I am So Sorry to read of Joyce\'s passing. She was such a Wonderful person and We had such fun camping with Gerald and Joyce through Girl Scouts. What a Beautiful picture of her. Robin Anderson Lynn "
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all. "
"I remember Joyce when I was in Girl Scouts. Such a lovely lady. Prayers to her family."