Obituary of Martha Hickey

Martha Chandler Hickey died on Friday, April 19, 2013, following a brief illness. Martha was born April 27, 1940, in Laurens, SC, the daughter of Dudley Carlyle Chandler and Georgia Totten Chandler. She graduated from Appalachian State University (formerly Appalachian Teacher's College), where she received her Master's Degree in Reading. She was a teacher in the Guilford County School system and a Dean at Guilford Technical Community College. She was wed John Michael Hickey on August 8, 1964, sharing nearly 40 years of marriage and raising three children together until his death in 2004. Martha will be remembered for her enduring positive attitude, ready sense of humor, deep convictions and open mind and heart. She was a loyal and devoted wife and mother, compassionate friend, respected colleague and adored sister and sister-in-law. Her optimism never wavered, and she was an inspiration to those she met and a mold-breaking role model for her children. Despite the conventions of her era, she lived an alternative way of being "woman" - a bridge between women who became homemakers and those who completely eschewed tradition. While she held an impressive professional title, as a community college dean, she was home most every night to feed her family and attended nearly every athletic or creative endeavor her children undertook. Her influence on those she loved and taught will last well beyond her lifetime. Her family was of utmost importance in her life. She is survived by her three children, Mary Ellen Hickey Cassady and husband Shaun Cassady; Casey Hickey and husband Mark Meissner; and Michael Hickey II. Also surviving are her beloved grandsons, Jack Hickey, Max Meissner and Michael Meissner; sisters Kay Whitener and Judy Robinson and brother, Dr. Chan Chandler; and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 4-6pm at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, 28203. Family memorial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to: Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 7845 Little Ave, Charlotte, NC 28226, (704) 375-0100.