Louise Hickey, 79, of Melrose and East Dennis died after a period of failing health at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital where she had served for many years as Vice President of Nursing and Patient Services. For forty-seven years, Louise was the wife of the late David J. Hickey. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Louise (Dolan) Quigley of Chelsea. A graduate of the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing and Salem State College, she served in a variety of nursing education and leadership positions. Mrs. Hickey was a mentor for a whole generation of nurses both in the school of nursing and on the staff of Melrose-Wakefield Hospital for over thirty years. She was also an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society in Nursing. Her avid community service was recognized with awards including Citizen of the Year by the Mt. Hood Association in Melrose. She served as a trustee of the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Association and also as a trustee of Massbank. As Chairperson of the Advisory Council, she led the community based, school grant development for the Comprehensive Health Education curriculum in the elementary schools and upper grades of Melrose. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she was foremost a wife and mother who raised four children with love, generosity and pride. This same caring and support flowed naturally to her five grandchildren who filled her life with special joy. Mrs. Hickey is lovingly survived by her four children, Mairead Hickey and her husband Robert Violetta of Brookline, Patricia of Brookline, David and his wife Lisa of Darien, Connecticut and Michael and his wife Cynthia of Melrose; three sisters, Mary McLaughlin of Danvers, Lorraine and her husband Jack Pyne of West Dennis and Patricia and her husband Edward Kodzis of West Dennis; and five grandchildren Michael and Bethany Hickey of Melrose; and David, Katherine and Samuel Hickey of Darien, Connecticut; and nine nieces and nephews and their families. The funeral will be held from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Tues. October 12th at 8AM. A Funeral Mass will be held in The Church of the Incarnation, 429 Upham St. Melrose, at 9AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Monday 4-8PM. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. To honor Mrs. Hickeys life and memory, remembrances would be appreciated to Hallmark Health Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Nursing Education Fund, 585 Lebanon Street, Melrose, MA. 02176.