Anna G. Hickman

HICKMAN, ANNA GILMARTIN, AGE 91, passed away peacefully at home in Little Egg Harbor, NJ, surrounded by her loving daughters.  She lived her life with enthusiasm, grace, joy and dancing.  Anna was born to Martin and Margaret Slattery Gilmartin in Ballysimon, Limerick, Ireland.  She traveled to the United States aboard the M.V. Georgic, settling in Flatlands, Brooklyn, New York.  She was raised, along with her brother Jack, by her mother after the untimely passing of her father.  She attended PS 203 – and could still sing the alma mater – and Girls Commercial High School.  Prior to marriage, she was happily employed by the World Telegram Newspaper.  She was a devoted Brooklyn Dodgers fan – until they moved the team to Los Angeles.  She never forgave them.  Later in life, she became a Phillies and Eagles fan – cheering them on.  She met the love of her life, Vincent Joseph Hickman, at Herb’s Tavern in Brooklyn.  They were married on February 7, 1957, at Mary Queen of Heaven RC Church.  Anna and Vinny quickly became an Air Force family, moving from base to base as their family grew to include four daughters.  They settled in Willingboro, NJ just as Vinny was deployed to South Viet Nam.  Vinny was reported Missing In Action in January of 1964.  Anna raised her girls in Willingboro, volunteered at Corpus Christi Church and School.  She also began Irish Dancing with the Timoney Irish Dancers.  She was very active in the South Jersey Irish Society and their Hoolies.  Anna had a successful career working in the Governor’s Office and the Attorney General’s office in the State of New Jersey prior to retirement.  After retirement, she volunteered for more than 25 years at Samaritan Hospice while living in Marlton, NJ.  Later, when she moved to Little Egg Harbor she volunteered at Saint Theresa’s Food Pantry.  Anna was preceded in death by her husband Vincent, her mother and father Margaret and Martin, and her brother Jack.  The family is sure they will be waiting for her with open arms.  Left to mourn are her daughters Eileen DeVries (Jake), Maureen Hickman Caporaso, Peggy Hickman, Patty Winton (Kevin).  Grandchildren Meghan Votta (Kevin), Jake DeVries (Devon), Beth Caporaso (Daniel), Kate Caporaso, Nicole Benya, Christopher Benya, Clare Winton and Kenny Winton.  She will be missed by sister-in-law Peggy Gilmartin, nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of friends.  At Anna’s request, services will be private and at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers, you can honor Anna’s memory by donating to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Saint Theresa’s Food Pantry, 450 Radio Rd., Little Egg Harbor, NJ, 08087 or Bayada Hospice, 11 Allen St., Suite 1A, Toms River, NJ, 08753. 

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