Catherine "Cathy" Hickey-Williams of Newtown died  April 3, surrounded by her family and friends. The daughter of Eleanor Ferris and Francis Hickey of Lawrence, Mass., she was known for her warm smile and readiness to help anyone. She was a beloved wife, dedicated educator, and passionate volunteer.

Her husband of 44 years, Jack Hickey-Williams; and her two sisters, Mary Patricia Krippendorf and her husband, Peter, and Ann Hickey, survive her. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her and by all whose lives she touched in a special way.

Ms Hickey-Williams obtained her Bachelor of arts degree in microbiology at the University of New Hampshire and her PhD at the University of Pennsylvania in microbiology, in 1968. She pursued a career in science and obtained higher education at a time when this was not a common path for women to take. She was one of the very few women in her time to obtain higher levels of education in the science arena.

She had intelligence, courage, and fortitude and these served her well in her career and her life. Her early career took her to the National Institutes of Health, where she worked on emphysema research, and the American Red Cross Blood Research Laboratory, NIH, to supervise national grant research.

Ms Hickey-Williams then joined the faculty of Western Connecticut State University, where she joined the department of chemistry. She delighted in teaching nurses who returned to WestConn to obtain their degree.

Her passion for science and education was perfectly combined with her willingness to help others and advance the educational pursuits of women. Ms Hickey-Williams received the Ronald Giordano Good Fellowship and Excellence in Education Award as one of the first recipients. She fostered many special relationships in her teaching career with both coworkers and students. These people held a special place in Ms Hickey-Williams' heart.

Alongside her husband, she had tirelessly devoted herself to charitable pursuits her entire life. Committed to her faith, Ms Hickey-Williams was a devoted and active member of St Rose of Lima Parish, where she was an Eucharistic minister. She was an energetic and enthusiastic participant in many ministries at St Rose, including president of the Women's Club for two years.

Ms Hickey-Williams lived her life with passion and enthusiasm. When not teaching or volunteering at church, she would often be found with family and friends.

In addition to her two sisters, she enjoyed spending time with her three nephews and she adored her four grandnephews. Mr and Ms Hickey-Williams also enjoyed a special relationship with Mr Hickey-Williams' siblings Marion, Kate, Joan, Ginny, and Mike, who brought great comfort to them.

In retirement, Ms Hickey-Williams was able to enjoy many of the things in life which brought her peace and joy. She traveled with her husband, her sisters, other family members, and many beloved friends from St Rose's Church.

She was able to make beautiful memories visiting places such as Italy, Ireland, Canada, Alaska, Cape Cod, and New Hampshire. She also enjoyed reading and even had time to join the Friends of C.H. Booth Library. At first, she only sorted science and math books for the annual sale, but, after several years, she continued these responsibilities and also became treasurer and eventually, the chairperson of the sale.

Ms Hickey-Williams will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family, the successes of her students, the charity work of her church, and the memories of all those whom she loved.

Friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, on Friday, April 21, from 4 to 6 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 22, at 10:30 am in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown.

Contributions in Ms Hickey-Williams' memory are requested to: Regional Hospice and Palliative Care, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury CT 06810 or The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.