Sheila Hickey

Sheila Patricia Kelsh Hickey, age 89, died peacefully at home on Monday, March 20, 2023. The cause was metastatic brain cancer.

Born January 25, 1934, in Dougherty, Iowa, she was born on her father's birthday in the same farm house as he was. The family lived on the Kelsh farm for several more years before making the move to Mason City, Iowa. Sheila graduated from secretarial/business school after high school and worked for Safeco Insurance. She and Dennis Hickey met and later married in Denver, Colorado, in 1965.

They moved out to Los Angeles, California, where Dennis started his career, and they adopted their two daughters, Karen and Susan. Sheila worked at home raising her children and creating a comfortable place to live. She especially enjoyed sewing and made clothes for her kids and their dolls, as well as quilts and home decorations, Halloween costumes, prom dresses, and bridesmaid dresses.

Sheila and Dennis had a strong Catholic faith and raised their daughters in the Catholic church, including Catholic school for most of their education. Sheila enjoyed hosting parties for holidays, birthdays, and pretty much any other reason. She was a talented cook, and all were welcome to join the circle of chairs, listen to great stories, and laugh.

The family spent a few years in Cypress, California, and then Santa Barbara, California, before making the move back to Colorado in 1983. In 1986 Sheila went back to work for the first time in about 20 years. She learned to use a computer, and worked for the American Cancer Society for the next 10 years. She retired in 1996, and shortly thereafter Dennis and Sheila moved to Surprise, Arizona, for the benefit of Dennis' health.

While in Arizona, the first three grandchildren were born: Lauren, Gillian, and Sam. Dennis unfortunately passed in 2002, the same day Audrey, grandchild number four, was born. Sheila made one more move back to Aurora, Colorado, where she lived for the next 20 years. Three more grandchildren were born: Dennis, Delaney, and Rachel, and Sheila was an extremely involved grandmother who was always there for all seven of her grandchildren. She adored her family, and was the first one to show up for school programs, celebrations, and to help out in any way she could.

Sheila's survivors include her brother Tom Kelsh and sister Kathryn Shields, daughters Karen Raile and Sue Dennis, grandchildren Sam, Dennis, and Rachel Noland; Lauren, Gillian, Audrey, and Delaney Rex; and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind many friends and will be greatly missed.