Matis-Hickin, Dorothy CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. Dorothy E. Matis-Hickin, died July 5, 2009 after a long illness. A lifetime resident of Clifton Park, Dorothy was born on September 26, 1919 to her late parents, Fredrick W. Droms III and Corabelle Johnson. She married Ernest Matis, a U.S. Army Air Force veteran in 1945. She worked for the General Electric Company from 1946 until 1953 and again from 1970 until 1982. She was also employed by the Schenectady Jewish Community Center during the years 1966-1970. Dorothy graduated from Scotia High School in 1937. She attended the University of Alabama during the years 1940-1942 and Mildred Elley Business School during the years 1943-1944. She attended the College of Saint Rose during the years 1979-1990, receiving a B.S. degree in communication arts at her 70th year of life. Dorothy married dear lifelong friend, Howard Hickin (Howie) in 1979 after being widowed for many years. Howard and Dorothy shared many pleasant years, enjoying trips, concerts and many other activities that were well-deserved. Dorothy was also a homemaker, raising two sons, Kurt Matis and Craig Matis. She enjoyed flower gardening and belonged to the Clifton Park Garden Club for many years. Dorothy was a lifelong member of Clifton Park Center Baptist Church. She was a founder of the Clifton Park Center Nursery School, one of the first pre-school child care centers in the area. Music and song were a central focus of Dorothy's life. She sang at many local churches, weddings and festive gatherings from her youth throughout her golden years. She was also an accomplished pianist. She auditioned at the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC in 1968. Perhaps Dorothy's favorite phrase was "Full of Fun". All who knew her understood that her lifelong goal was to make other people laugh and enjoy life. She did not have the capability to be mean-spirited. She will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. Dorothy is survived by husband, Howard; sons, Kurt and Craig; granddaughters, Karissa Matis and Jenessa Matis; nieces, Carol Custer and Linda Platel; foster siblings, Pat Drago, Joyce Hunter and Donald Urbanke; and cousin, Otto Gau. Survivors give thanks for the kind and loving care she was given, first at The Avenues nursing home in Schenectady, N.Y., then at Seton Health Schuyler Ridge Nursing Facility in Clifton Park, where she died. Our thanks go to Dr. Earl Zimmerman of the Albany Medical Center Hospital for providing clarity into the Alzheimer's disease process. This provided some comfort at a very difficult time. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Route Nine, Clifton Park on Thursday, July 9, 2009 with the Reverend James Meek, officiating. Calling hours will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 8. Interment will follow the funeral service on Thursday in Clifton Park Center Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Center of Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Ave., MC-65, Albany, NY 12208,
Alzheimer's Association Northeastern New York Chapter, (www.alz.org), 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12206-2083, or the Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Published by Albany Times Union on Jul. 7, 2009.