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Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, Inc. - Harrington

15522 South DuPont Highway

Harrington, Delaware

Denise Hickman Obituary

GREENWOOD - Denise S. Hickman passed away on Sept. 17, 2013 at the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford. She was the daughter of the late Charles William Schwartzkopf and Mary Porter Williams . Mrs. Hickman was a registered nurse for Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital for over 34 years. She worked as head of the Critical Care Unit, then in Cardiac Rehab, and finally in Outpatient Surgery. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening and watching the hummingbirds. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite spot was hanging out on the pool deck with them. She loved her family immensely and loved to spoil her grandchildren. She will be remembered as an amazing woman, caring and compassionate and a warrior until the end. She will be sadly missed. She was loved by all and will be forever. Survivors include her loving husband of 42 years, Bruce E. Hickman of Greenwood; sons, Matthew T. Hickman and his wife, London of Harrington and Adam C. Hickman of San Antonio, Texas; brothers, Dr. Paul Schwartzkopf of York, Pa., Honorable Pete Schwartzkopf of Rehoboth, Rick Chamberlin of Dagsboro, Christopher Chamberlin of Topsham, Maine; sister, Maria Higgins of Hickory, N.C.; grandchildren, Austin Reynolds and Evan Hickman. Celebration of life service will be 1 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 20, 2013 at Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy., Harrington. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Arrangements are by the Melvin Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Delaware State News on Sep. 19, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Denise Hickman

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LISA M

September 25, 2013

Mr. Hickman, I'm so sorry to hear of Mrs. Hickman's passing. I just happened to see it on here. I remember you guys from Dr. Aviado's. Mrs. Hickman was a joy to see in the office. My condolences to you and your family.

Steve O'Neal

September 25, 2013

While it has been over 30 years since I have seen the Hickman family, I have nothing but sorrow for Bruce and the boys. Denise was the greatest of ladies

Ronald Bloodsworth

September 23, 2013

My condolences are with you, Bruce. It's hard when you lose someone you've cared about for so many years. It sounds like you have a family that will help you through it. My prayers are with you.

Sandi Lewis

September 23, 2013

Mr. Hickman and family,
I was so very saddened to hear of Denise's passing. Although we never met, I spoke to her sp often during her ordeal that I came to think of her as a dear friend. Know that I too will mourn her passing and will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers as I did her.
Sandi Lewis

Patti Noonan

September 20, 2013

Dear "Dennie",
Near the end of August in 1967, 19 slightly apprehensive young women moved into the dormitory at Beebe Hospital School of Nursing to begin 3 grueling years with the hopeful outcome to be a good nurse. I don't think any of our naïve group was prepared for the working in the hospital, then classes followed by studying from just after supper to the wee hours of the morning, only to get up at 6am to do it all over again, endlessly. Sadly, that 19 dwindled to 12 by the 6 months had passed and those of us left were then known as the "dirty dozen". Somehow, among the rigors of our education and having to accommodate the strict discipline imposed at Beebe, we became friends and those friendships have endured for the 7 of us for over 46 years. We are all aware that if any one of us have "needed" the other 6 of us responded. Through all of these years there have been many times of need and just as many times of loving response from our group. We didn't really see each other often during the years we were raising small children, but as our children needed us a little less, we found more time to spend with each other and always, we were excited and happy to be in the company of those wonderful friends who knew us best and still know us best. We all had families and all were practicing nursing and yet, somehow, we found time for each other because we valued our time together whatever we were doing, taking wonderful Island trips, annual beach long weekends at Rehoboth, dinners in Dover, weddings and sadly funerals. We all had a unique ability to just "pick up" where we had left off.....this is surely a gift. I am honored to be part of this exceptional group of women and so sad that you had to leave us.....this group will endure, but will be forevermore changed because we will always be missing one of our seven, you. I know you will never really be gone because you will live in our hearts, in our stories and memories forever.....I believe we will be with you again when our days are gone...I love you, Den.

Tammy Warrington

September 20, 2013

Denise,
You are a legacy! Great mentor both professionally and of life! You are a huge loss. Love and prayers to entire family. Bruce you are the best husband! Adam and Matt and families she loved you so much. Love and Prayers from Auburn, Alabama!

Alan and Brenda Warren

September 19, 2013

Denise was a great woman. Thoughts and prayers to Bruce, Matt and Adam and her other family members.

Betsy Chaney

September 19, 2013

Mama Hickman was one if a kind and will be deeply missed!! Lifting the family up in prayer!

Debby St.John

September 19, 2013

We are so sorry for your loss Denise was an amazing woman

Debby and Bob St.John

Margie Pandi

September 19, 2013

I will miss you dear friend

From the Staff of Melvin Funeral Home

September 19, 2013

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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Funeral services provided by:

Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, Inc. - Harrington

15522 South DuPont Highway, Harrington, DE 19952

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