- Date Of Birth: December 6, 1947
- Date Of Death: February 22, 2022
- State: Indiana
Linda A. Hickey, 74, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN.
She was born on December 6, 1947 to the late Louis S. and Norma I. (Roberts) Janczak in South Bend, IN, and was a lifelong area resident. Along with her parents; she was also preceded in death by her husband, Louis J Hickey Jr., a granddaughter, Samantha Payton Hickey; and a brother-in-law, Andrew Hafron.
Linda graduated in 1965 from St. Joseph High School in South Bend. She went on to receive an Associate’s Degree from I.U.S.B. and then earned a Bachelor Degree in Management from Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN.
Linda was retired from Memorial Hospital of South Bend, where she worked in Patient Accounting for over 20 years.
On June 22, 1968, as Linda A. Janczak, she married her true love, Louis J. “Big Lou” Hickey, Jr. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in South Bend, IN. Lou passed away on August 21, 2020. During their 52 years of marriage and 60 total years together, they created a remarkable family that shows how love, passion and dedication can bring people together.
Linda is survived by her four sons, Lou (Michelle) Hickey III of Granger, IN; Jim (Tracy) Hickey of South Bend, IN; Chris (Tuesday) Hickey of Granger, IN; Shawn (Dawn) Hickey of Fishers, IN; 14 grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Joseph, Rachel, Allison, Emily, and Joshua; Quynn and Noah; Carter, Meghan, and Collin; Paige, Kendall, and Hudson Hickey; and two sisters, Priscilla Hafron of South Bend, IN; and Lori (David) Steinke of Elkhart, IN.
Linda was a member of St. Pius X Parish in Granger, IN; Memorial Hospital Retirees Euchre Club, ZB Falcons Golf League in South Bend, and Juday Creek Golf League in Granger. She was a dedicated volunteer when her children were younger. She volunteered at Babe Ruth, Northwest Little League, President of HASA at Holy Cross and the Athletic Association at St. Joseph High School. She was an active board member of the Samantha Hickey Foundation for 20 years, where she would coordinate everything so we can raise money to help kids in our area who are battling cancer.
Linda could be a synonym for Matriarch in the truest sense of the word.
Linda was the ultimate Super Fan! She, and the love of her life, Lou, supported their children in all their athletic endeavors. That spirit continued tenfold for their grandchildren as they attended football, soccer, basketball, golf, baseball, softball, gymnastics, lacrosse, tennis, track, volleyball, choir and drama performances in town and across the country.
Sewing, embroidering, monogramming, scrapbooking, getting her hair and nails done, playing slot machines and attending ND women’s basketball games is what she did to fill in the time when she wasn’t spoiling the grandkids. Grandma showered her grandkids with presents for their birthdays, Christmas, and most holidays. She also loved cooking with and for her grandchildren. Whether it was tacos, chicken tetrazzini, chicken and dumplings, or her famous chocolate/vanilla brownies (possibly including some outdated ingredients), she loved having everyone together and feed her army.
It drove her crazy that she had to miss so many of the grandkid’s events these past few years because she wasn’t strong enough to attend. She will never have to miss anything ever again. The L-Train is back together. Linda and Big Lou will be sitting front row, together, now and forever.
