Geraldine Ann Hickey

Geraldine Ann "Gerrie" Hickey (née Schmitt) lived a life of service, devotion, and boundless love that touched countless hearts across Milwaukee's close-knit Catholic community. Born around 1930 to Irene Schmitt, she would grow up to embody the values of faith, education, and family that defined her generation.

Gerrie's educational journey reflected her commitment to both faith and service. She attended St. Thomas Aquinas grade school before moving on to Cathedral High School, institutions that shaped her Catholic worldview and prepared her for a life dedicated to caring for others. Her calling to nursing led her to St. Mary's School of Nursing, where she trained in the rigorous discipline of healthcare that would define her professional life. She furthered her education at Mount Mary University, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to learning and personal growth.

As a Registered Nurse, Gerrie found her vocation in caring for others, a role that perfectly suited her nurturing spirit and strong sense of duty. Her professional life was marked by the same dedication and compassion that she would later bring to raising her seven children.

In 1972, Gerrie married John M. Hickey, Sr., beginning a partnership that would last 54 years until his passing in 2011. Together, they built a loving home where faith, family, and tradition were paramount. John preceded her in death on May 10, 2011, leaving behind memories of a devoted husband and father who cherished his large family.

As the mother of seven children—Mary Bridget (Michael) Zander, John Michael (Julie) Hickey, Ann (Michael) Schroeder, Thomas (Susan) Hickey, Kerry (Patrick) Hodan, Julie (Dave) Hickey-Bennett, and David (Jane) Hickey—Gerrie often said she had "no time for trouble." Yet somehow, she always found time to make each of her children feel uniquely special and loved. Her home became the heart of family life, where she expressed her love through cooking elaborate meals, baking perfect pies, and hosting legendary family gatherings that created lasting memories for all who attended.

Gerrie's legacy extended far beyond her immediate family. She was blessed with thirteen grandchildren—Carolyn, Sarah, and Rachel Zander; Jack, Sean, and Joseph Hickey; Catherine and Michael Schroeder; Tommy and Danny Hickey; Patrick, Bridget, and Colleen Hodan; Peter, Moira, and Maggie Brown; and Julia, Clara, and Molly Hickey—as well as eight great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy in her later years.

An avid reader of The New York Times, Gerrie maintained a keen interest in current events and wasn't shy about sharing her well-informed opinions, usually delivered with a characteristic "twinkle in her eye." She was also a gifted writer whose thoughtful notes marked important milestones and difficult times in the lives of family and friends, providing comfort and connection when it was needed most.

Gerrie's Irish Catholic heritage was central to her identity, and she was fiercely proud of both her faith and her cultural roots. This pride extended to her commitment to Catholic education and community service, as evidenced by her family's long-standing support of St. Joan Antida High School, an institution she chose to honor through memorial donations in lieu of flowers.

The Schmitt family faced its share of sorrows over the years. Gerrie was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Irene Schmitt, her dear aunts Mary McCann and Margaret Cook, her sister Mary (Richard) Wittman, and her brother Thomas (Marianne) Schmitt. She also mourned the loss of her brothers-in-law, Rev. Joseph Hickey and Rev. Thomas Hickey, both Catholic priests who served their communities with distinction.

After many years of caring for others as both a nurse and a mother, Gerrie's final years brought her the gift of being cared for by the loving children she had raised. This reversal of roles spoke to the deep bonds she had fostered and the love she had given so freely throughout her life.

On April 1, 2026, surrounded by her family, Geraldine Ann Hickey was called to eternal life at the remarkable age of 96. Her passing marked the end of nearly a century of love, service, and devotion that left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Services were held at St. John Vianney Church in Brookfield, with private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, bringing her earthly journey to a peaceful close in the faith community that had sustained her throughout her long and meaningful life.