Mary Catherine ("Mary Kay") Hickey, 95, passed peacefully on December 23, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. She joined her beloved husband of 63 years, Francis ("Frank"), in eternal rest.

Mary Kay is survived by her children, Sharon Trager (Reinhold), Patrick (Kathleen), Nancy Maxwell (Todd), Dan (Jennie Groves), Maureen Owen (Michael), Edward (Kay), and Paul (Nancy); sisters, Nancy Toal and Virginia ("Ginny") Brickley; 19 grandchildren, Colleen, Kelsey, Bridget Heldrich (Andrew), Kayla, Madison Cawood (Tommy), Kylie, Sean, Ryan, Kendall, Jessica, Katie, Gillian, Brenden, Nolan, Sam, Audrey, Clay, Kieran, and Shannon; and two great-grandchildren, Anneliese and Jack.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis, son Joseph (Andrea); siblings, Honorable James Brickley and Roberta Casko; and granddaughter, Erin.

Born October 30, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan to the late James H. ("Harry") Brickley and Marie E. Brickley (Fischer), Mary Kay attended Gesu Grade School and Immaculata High School and went on to receive her bachelor's degree from Marygrove College.

Mary Kay and Frank met in Detroit when he attended a social event at the University of Detroit on his way home from the University of Notre Dame. After Frank served two tours of duty in Japan and Korea, the two became engaged and were married on January 24, 1954 at Gesu Parish in Detroit. When Frank completed his studies at Notre Dame, the couple returned to Detroit where they raised their eight children, first at Precious Blood Parish and then St. Mary's of Redford until 1974 when they moved to the City of Farmington and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with many friends and family in 2004.

After raising her eight children, Mary Kay returned to teaching as a substitute teacher and ParaPro teacher's aide for the Farmington School District. She was also a volunteer for Angela Hospice and the Schoolcraft College Women's Center.

After retiring, Mary Kay loved spending time visiting and caring for her many grandchildren and enjoying the countless family get-togethers during the summers and holiday months, never declining an invitation for a "Hickey Manhattan." She enjoyed her many years with her dear friends from Our Lady of Sorrows and others she met at the Farmington YMCA and Northville Community Center, where she regularly practiced yoga and aerobics well into her late 80s and early 90s.

Mary Kay enjoyed an incredibly healthy physical life. Unfortunately, her later years were plagued by the slow onset of dementia, which eventually limited her independence, but never diminished her incredibly quick wit and keen sense of humor - keeping her family and caregivers laughing and always on their toes.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pomeroy Living and AccentCare Hospice for their compassionate care and kindness over the last years and months of Mary Kay's beautiful life.

The Hickey family will receive guests at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home, downtown Farmington, on Thursday, January 5, from 4-8 pm.

Mary Kay's funeral mass will be celebrated Friday morning, January 6, at 11:00 am (gathering after 10:30 am) at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard Drive, Northville.

Memorial tributes are kindly suggested to Angela Hospice , Livonia.

A luncheon will follow her funeral mass at a venue announced at church.