Donna Marie (Ryan) Hickey

Donna Marie (Ryan) Hickey went to be with the Lord on Sunday October 17, 2021.  Her life was a testimony to sharing love and beautiful designs.  She had a happy life, that was full of Thanksgivings, not least of which was when her beloved son, Johnny, returned from Vietnam, and her husband Jack, and her brothers, Arthur (Dude), Edward, and Bob returned from World War II.  Donna was born January 22, 1926 to Charles Raymond Ryan and Donna Robbins Ryan, their one and only daughter.  She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, John Robert Power Finishing School in Pittsburgh, PA., and studied interior design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She Married Jack (John C.) Hickey at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Evanston, Il. after he finished basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago.  Donna and Jack then moved to Memphis for Seabee training, after which Jack was shipped off to the Philippines.  Donna Marie worked as a commercial window designer in Memphis.  She started her interior design firm in 1951, and provided design services to many, including the Diocese of Columbus.  Meanwhile, Jack built bridges throughout Ohio and in West Virginia.  She ran toward hard work – even into her nineties.  She recognized the importance of tough love at times.  Her mother, Donna (“Ma” to her 14 grandchildren), instilled in Donna Marie and her three brothers, a resolute love of God, Country and family.  Her creativity went beyond interior designs to receiving a United States patent.  The depression, hard times and wars, and her most important job of being an amazing wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, and family matriarch, taught her to teach a truth essential to her-that God is ever with us in this all-too-precious gift of life. Donna Marie was predeceased by her beloved mother, and her beloved husband Jack, and son Johnny, her beloved brothers and their spouses, and Jack’s parents, John F. Hickey and Florence and brother Gerald V. Hickey.  She is survived by son Bryan (Diane), daughter Constance Marie Nye, and grandchildren Bryan Patrick, Erin Brasington (Chal), Kelly Nye (Clint Davidson, fiance’), Royce Hickey and Leda Hickey, great-grandchildren, EvanMarie and Grant Brasington, and sister-in-law Patricia Hickey and many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins.             The family wishes to thank all who helped Donna through the years, including (please forgive our omissions) Connie, her outstanding doctors, caring Heartland Hospice personnel especially Sarah, and nurses, Sharon, the Clintonville EMTs, firemen and police, Becky and Stana, her cherished friends, her bridge club members, her “Boys”, Al and Matt who, like her grand son-in-law Chal, can fix anything, and Diane’s siblings Jim, Margo, and John Charles. Monsignor Paul Patrick Enke, who was like a son to Donna, will say her Funeral Mass at Our Mother of Sorrows Chapel at St. Joseph’s Cemetery at 11:00 am on Friday November 26, 2021. Arrangements by EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 403 E. BROAD ST.  Memorials may be given to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Immaculate Conception Church, or the charity of one’s choice.  Mom would say…Enjoy your whiskey sour and turkey on Thanksgiving!

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