Esther Hickey

YARMOUTHPORT — Esther M. (Manderville) Hickey died June 1, 2008, at Eagle Pond Living Center.

She was the wife of Robert Edwin Hickey Sr., who predeceased her in 1981.

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1918, she grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla. She graduated from Stetson University with a degree in chemistry.

After meeting and marrying Robert, she traveled with him in the military to Roswell and Alamagordo, N.M., where he took part in nuclear testing.

After World War II, she and her husband purchased the Village Inn and became innkeepers for the next 50 years.

A natural-born innkeeper, Esther enjoyed meeting and getting to know people and was a wonderful host and conversationalist. Many of her guests returned year after year and became lifelong friends.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother whose positive outlook on life and supportive nature will be deeply missed.

She was a founding member of the Needy Fund and of Friends of the Schoolhouse, and a past president of the Friday Club.

She is survived by two sons, Robert E. Hickey Jr. and Malcolm K. Hickey, both of Yarmouthport; two grandchildren, Brian and Sara Hickey; four step-grandchildren, Kelley, Christopher, Ellery, and Alynn Curran; and two step-great-grandchildren.

Burial is private, and a memorial gathering will be held at the Village Inn, Yarmouthport, on Saturday, June 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. All who shared her life are invited to attend.

Condolences may be shared in the family guest book at www.morrisoconnor.com.