Adlyn Hollearn Hickey

Adlyn Pearl Hollearn Hickey peacefully left this world on August 27, 2021. She was 89 years old. She was born in Philadelphia on August 3rd, 1932 to Frank Hollearn and Adlyn Robinson Hollearn. She grew up with her parents, younger sister, Frances, horses, dogs, and her beloved duck, Dudley. Her family moved to Pittsburgh to be near family and so her mother could work at the family’s jewelry business. Adlyn attended the Winchester Thurston School in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh and then Hood College, graduating with a degree in biology. While at college, she met Brandon Hickey, a handsome Marine captain who had just returned from serving in Korea and was studying law at Yale. They were married on June 9th, 1956. After moving to Greenwich CT, they had their first child, Lee. Soon after, they moved to Farmington where they had two boys, Brandon and Bruce. In 1967, they moved to West Hartford, to the home where she raised her family and lived for more than 50 years. She was married to Brandon for 61 years until his passing in 2018. She then left their longtime family home and moved to another beautiful place, Atria Hamilton Heights, where she made wonderful friends and had excellent care until the end of her life. Coming into her kitchen was like a warm hug. The smell of strong coffee, bacon, and pastries…a big welcome, an easy laugh, a snappy remark, and classical music always. Adlyn Hickey loved her home and her family. Adlyn loved classical music, ecclesiastical singing and opera. Adlyn’s parents were both musical. Her father played and composed pieces on piano. Her mother studied at the Pittsburgh Conservatory and was a piano teacher. Adlyn studied piano and cello. As a child she attended Germantown Friends which she credits with nurturing her lifelong love of singing. Throughout her adult life, Adlyn was a member of chorale singing groups. She especially loved being part of the productions at Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford. Adlyn also loved to cook, and that love has passed on to her children and grandchildren. Her home was always full of delicious foods. She was adventurous, taking on cuisines from around the world. She was particularly known for her delicious holiday spreads, Christmas cookies and beautiful trees. Adlyn was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She treasured those times when her family joined together to celebrate a birthday, holiday or other special event. Adlyn is survived by her children Lee McWilliams of Maine, Brandon (Brad) Hickey of New York, his wife Shirley, and Bruce Hickey of Massachusetts, his wife, Nancy, and grandchildren Tadge, Katherine, Brandon III, Alison, Caroline, Lauren and Colin; and nieces Leslie, Nancy, Lynn, and nephew Rob. She is predeceased by Brandon Hickey, her sister Frances Gleim, and her parents. The family welcomes her friends to Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford, on Wednesday, September 1st, from 4-7pm. A private burial will be held at the Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford on Thursday.