Donna Conway Hickerson

Donna Conway Hickerson, 82, of Springfield, passed away at 11:27 a.m. on June 9, 2018 at home with her family. Donna was born on February 28, 1936 in Springfield, the daughter of Pauline Martha Perry and Francis Patrick Conway, Jr. She married Bill Hickerson in 1992 in Springfield. Donna attended St. Patricks Grade School and was a 1953 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. A lifelong resident of Springfield, she was employed for more than 30 years with the State of Illinois Legislature and Department of Insurance; retiring in 1998. Donna was a true Patriot and proud of her Irish-American heritage. She served as Precinct Committeewoman and enjoyed working with political campaigns for national, state and local candidates with her revered GOP. One of her favorite "causes" was the Irish tent at the Ethnic Festival, where she and her friends and family worked to raise funds for St. Patricks Parish and to generally promote Irish shenanigans. She was the Grand Marshal of the St. Patricks Day Parade in 1987, and a robust fan of Notre Dame football. Donna loved to travel with her good friends and family, returning many times to Ireland, her favorite destination. Donna and her husband Bill loved music; hosting many memorable parties centered around live and recorded music at their home; often with celebrity guests and entertainers. As the Matriarch of the Brennan Conway Clan, she deeply loved her family and their spouses; 8 brothers and sisters, Bill, Ellen, Paul, Dink, Janie, Joe, Tommy, and Casey; children, Pauline, Becky and Jim; three grandchildren, Sam, Ben, and Kate; 30 nieces and nephews, Jay, Jeanie, Judy, Julie, Jannie, Pam, Mike, Patty Ann, Penny, Timmy, Mark, Paula, Kevin, Keith, Joe, Robbie, David, Mary Pat, Frank, Nancy, Peggy, Kevin, Kathy, Sharon, Joe, Gregg, Brian, Tommy, Terry, and Patrick; and numerous grand- nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved Aunt Becky Perry; sisters, Ellen Coleman, Alice Jane "Janie" Lokaitis, and Kathleen "Casey" Hagerman; brothers, James William Brennan, Francis Patrick "Dink" Conway III, and Joseph Conway; nephews, Timmy, Mike, Joe and Robbie; and niece, Peggy. She is survived by her husband, Bill Hickerson of Springfield; two daughters, Becky Jane (husband, Jim) Schlouch of Springfield and Pauline Miller of Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren, Sam Schlouch of Moline, Ben (wife, Kelly) Schlouch of Springfield, and Kate Schlouch of Lexington, KY; and two siblings, Paul Brennan and Thomas (wife, Mary) Conway, both of Springfield. Donna never met a stranger and considers her friends as family. Her husband and daughters would like to thank all who have called and visited Donna over the past several weeks; filling her final days with love, laughter and story-telling. Slainte! Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Memorial Gathering and Funeral Mass: Family will receive friends from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Stevenson Dr., Springfield. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Allen Kemme, celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patricks Grade School, 1800 South Grand Avenue East, Springfield, IL 62703 or WQNA Radio Activity Fund, 2201 Toronto Rd, Springfield, IL 62712.