Deborah P. Hickey

Deborah Peeney Hickey passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025 in East Stroudsburg, PA surrounded by family and friends. Debbie was a loving wife, mother, friend and teacher, and was an active resident of the Stroudsburg area for 85 years. Debbie was born in Lancaster, PA on September 28, 1940 to her father, Walter S. Peeney, Sr., and mother, Catherine Burke Peeney. After graduating from East Stroudsburg High School, Debbie attended Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962 and meeting her future husband, J. Patrick Hickey, Jr. Debbie was dedicated to Catholic education, serving as a Latin and English teacher at Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School for 25 years. Debbie was a great conversationalist, making her a wonderful friend and teacher. She cherished friends from every stage of her life - grade school, college, family years and retirement, building connections lasting decades. She loved teaching and making an impact on young people. In turn, her students adored her. Playing bridge became a mainstay for her in retirement and she loved her weekly games. Being in her presence was a joy. She laughed easily and it was infectious, and created lasting memories, especially on the dance floor doing the YMCA. Her love of travel started in 1961 with a trip to Europe with her three college friends and continued throughout her lifetime. She visited other cities with her NDHS students and explored national parks, with her favorite trip being to the Galapagos Islands to see the turtles. As a lifelong reader, she also enjoyed her monthly book club discussions. Although Debbie had many interests, what was most important to her was her faith and family. She was a lifelong member of St. Matthew's parish. She was the family matriarch selflessly loving and guiding her three children with her wisdom. Her four grandchildren brought her immense joy and she was always their most staunch loving cheerleader encouraging them in every endeavor. Debbie is survived by her three children and their spouses: J. Patrick Hickey, Ill and his wife, Lianne DiMarco, of Avalon, NJ; Maura H. Hickey of Stroudsburg, PA; and Michael B. Hickey and his wife, Elizabeth H. Hickey, of Summit, NJ. Debbie is also survived by her four grandchildren: Emily Ann Hickey; Grace Catherine Hickey; Luke Daniel Hickey; and Jackson Bennett Hickey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor John Bergamo on Saturday, October 11 at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, 78 Ridgeway Street, East Stroudsburg, PA. The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church prior to the mass from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Laurelwood Cemetery, 901 Bryant St., Stroudsburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School in the name of Deborah P. Hickey, Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School, 60 Spangenburg Avenue, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 or St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 78 Ridgeway Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.