Sister Colleen Hickey, CSJ

Sister Colleen Marie Hickey, CSJ, born on March 16, 1935, passed away at the age of 88 on the morning of October 2, 2023. She was the daughter of Marie Besser and William Hickey. As a Detroit native, she was raised and worked in her mother’s tiny grocery store on the corner of Outer Drive and Gratiot. She attended St. David’s School, right behind the store, where she played baseball and basketball and then graduated as valedictorian. One month later, on July 1, 1953, Colleen started her new journey with God and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Kalamazoo, Michigan. At the time of her reception, on January 3, 1954, she received the habit and the name of Sister M. Richard Jeanne, but later returned to her baptismal name.

Sr. Colleen pronounced first vows on January 3, 1956, and final vows on January 3, 1959.

While in Kalamazoo, she received her B.A. from Nazareth College with a major in English and minors in Latin and Social Studies and received her master’s degree in library science from Western Michigan University. She loved working as a teacher at St. Joan of Arc and St. Philip Neri Schools. The next chapter of her life took her to the University of Detroit Law Library, where she ultimately became the Associate Director. Over the next 40 years, she helped guide many future lawyers. It was her mission to be a caregiver to all the students and faculty who, in turn, enriched her life. She would help them with writing a reference letter, finding the date to a long-ago court decision, or blessing them while they studied for the bar exam. She always had positive things to say about everyone and would help anyone who came into the law library. It was her mission to be a caregiver to all the students and faculty. Sr. Colleen was known for her great sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the St. Joan of Arc Educational Fund or the Congregation of St. Joseph.

May She Rest in Peace.