Joan Hickey

Joan Hickey LEBANON "And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance." from "The Prophet" by Kahil Gibran. Joan Patschke Hickey died Thursday, February 27, 2014. She was married to the late LT. Col. Edward J. Hickey. They lived in Hempstead, N.Y., and for most of their lives, in Lebanon. Born January 21, 1922, in Lebanon, she was the beloved daughter of Millie and Cyrus Patschke. (Her father is known for having driven in the first Indy 500 race of 1911). Surviving are her son, Edward Jr. of Lebanon; two daughters, Mary Catherine of Bellefonte and Carol L. of Lancaster; two grandchildren, Max Whitcomb of Bellefonte/State College, and Laramie Ericson of Reston, Va.; and one great-grandson, Thor Ericson of Reston, Va. Joan studied ballet from her youth and pursued a professional career after graduating from Lebanon High School in 1938. Her career took her on tour throughout the U.S. with the Catherine Littlefield Ballet Co. of Philadelphia, as well as performing at the 1939 World Fair in New York. She performed with the corps d'ballet of Rockefeller Center and at Carnegie Hall. She spent summers as a student of M. Svboda in New York City. During WWII, Joan returned to Lebanon and worked at the Bell Telephone, for the Gap's special phone lines. After marrying, starting a family, and moving to Lebanon, Joan taught ballet at the Lebanon YMCA and in her home on East Chestnut St. She worked with her friend and professional dancer, Richard Gingrich, and singer, Jim Connor, to assist Lebanon Catholic H.S. with their musicals in the 1960's. Joan worked for her aunt, Carrie Rickes, at C.L. Rickes store on Cumberland St., and at Pomeroy's. She fondly remembers attending Boxwood Kindergarten (on Maple St.) with many of her friends, as well as family summers at the Contrary Club in Gananoque, Can. Joan loved books and volunteered at the Lebanon Community Library. She also volunteered for the "Boost" pre-school program in Lebanon. She greatly appreciated art and especially the opportunity in later years to visit the LVC Gallery. She was a regular at the Lebanon Farmers Market and made new friends and acquaintances wherever she went. She was firm believer in civil rights. There will be an informal gathering at her home on Sunday afternoon, March 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. to celebrate and remember her life and times. Friends are invited. There will be a graveside service at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery on Tuesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. Please contact Carol Hickey at 330-6892 or Ed Hickey at 813-9348 if you need any directions. Donations in Joan's memory may be sent to Lebanon Community Library, 125 N. 7th. St., Lebanon, PA 17046; Lebanon County Historical Society, 924 Cumberland St., Lebanon, PA 17042; or LVC Art Gallery, 101 N. College Ave., Annville, PA 17003. Peace. To share online condolences with the family, please refer to www.kreamerfuneralhome.com