Winifred ''Win'' Hickey, 94, former Wyoming first lady dies
wazzzy
Winifred ''Win'' Hickey, former Wyoming first lady, died Saturday. She
was 94.
Hickey became first lady of Wyoming when her husband, J.J. ''Joe''
Hickey was elected governor in 1958. She became a politician in her
own right after her husband died in 1970.
Win Hickey, a Democrat, was the first woman elected Laramie County
commissioner and also the first woman elected to the state senate from
the county.
''She was one of the titans of Wyoming politicians, regardless of
gender,'' said Kathy Karpan, former secretary of state.
Gov. Dave Freudenthal said that Hickey was an advocate of education
and social services in the state senate, working to make sure those
areas were fully funded.
''I think it's appropriate to remember Win as one of the truly
remarkable leaders of the state,'' Freudenthal said.
Jacqueline Ferrall, a longtime friend of Hickey's, said Hickey's move
into politics after her husband's death wasn't surprising. Ferrall
said Hickey always had a vision for the future and wasn't afraid to
speak her mind.
Sen. Jayne Mockler, D-Cheyenne, said Hickey was a role model for
Wyoming women in politics.
Al Simpson, former U.S. Senator from Wyoming, remembers Hickey as
always friendly, even when Simpson's father ran against Joe Hickey for
the governor's office.
''She had a twinkle in her eye, and you didn't want to mess with
her,'' Simpson said.
Paul Hickey, her son, said she was one of the strongest allies for the
University of Wyoming.
Hickey served on the board of trustees for the university, starting in
1969. She also served as president of the UW Foundation and served on
several college advisory boards.
''Her life reflected the true values of commitment to God, country and
family,'' Paul Hickey said. ''If she took on a cause, she took it one
with great passion.''
Hoodini
By BOB MOEN
Associated Press writer Thursday, April 12, 2007
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/04/12/news/wyoming/3eb1f39f5158566c872572b900838f5d.txt
CHEYENNE -- Former Wyoming first lady Winifred "Win" Hickey was
remembered Tuesday as a mother, grandmother and leader with deep
religious faith who looked after people in need.
"She was the daughter of shepherds, and as the daughter of shepherds,
she had the instincts of shepherds," the Rev. Carl Beavers said in his
eulogy at the Cathedral of St. Mary's.
That instinct defined her public service, Beavers said.
"You were always supposed to look after people in their need," he said.
The funeral service was attended by family, friends and some of the
state's most well-known political leaders, including Gov. Dave
Freudenthal and first lady Nancy Freudenthal, former Gov. Mike
Sullivan and former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson.
Two bishops and seven priests participated in the funeral mass Tuesday.
Hickey, who died Saturday at age 94, was raised in a family that
operated one of the largest sheep ranches in the state. She became
first lady of Wyoming when her husband, J.J. "Joe" Hickey, was elected
governor in 1958. She became a politician in her own right after her
husband died in 1970.
A Democrat, she was the first woman elected Laramie County
commissioner and also the first woman elected to the state Senate from
the county.
Hickey served on the University of Wyoming board of trustees and as
president of the UW Foundation. She also served on several college
advisory boards, the state parole board, and national and county
mental health boards.
"She was proud of the fact that she may have opened the door for women
in politics," her son, Paul Hickey, said in another eulogy.
"What I remember most about my mother was her tenderness and her love
and her caring for others," he said.
He recalled her giving her gloves to a woman on the street and helping
Vietnam refugees find housing and jobs.
"I think part of her legacy is clearly the recognition of the
importance of service to the community and service to others," he
said. "And we as a family thank her for that legacy."
Last year, Win Hickey was awarded the Papal Medal for extraordinary
service to the Roman Catholic Church. Paul Hickey said the medal was
among her most cherished awards.
Paul's son, Patrick, also spoke of his grandmother as a good friend
with a sense of humor.
Win Hickey will be buried at Rawlins, where she was born.
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