Barbara Grulich Hickey

If Barb were still with us, she would arrive for her memorial event 25 minutes early to see if she could help. You sure you don’t have anything she can do? Would it be okay if she grabbed the vacuum and ran it over that spot you missed? How about she rearranges the coat closet really quick?

To say Barb was organized was an understatement. The only thing she loved more than spreadsheets was her label maker. The only thing she loved more than her label maker was her family, but don’t test her.

Barb was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl Hickey, and her parents, Barbara and Leslie Grulich. She is survived by her siblings Sandie Amin (Medhat), Leslie Moore (Phil), and Bill Grulich (DL); her children Michael Hickey (Christine) and Melissa Lewis (Sage); and her grandchildren Alexandra Hickey and Indiana Lewis.

Barb grew up in Lakewood and stayed close to many of her childhood friends for the rest of her life — Carol, Linda, Claudia, and Gayle among them. She met Earl in nursing school, and they married in 1968, beginning a partnership filled with loyalty, generosity, and adventure.

Barb’s gifts extended far beyond organization. She was endlessly creative. She sewed clothes for her children, remodeled homes with HGTV-level skill long before HGTV existed and transformed an ordinary backyard into a child’s paradise complete with a homemade playhouse, teeter-totter, sandbox, swing set, and a remodeled storage area turned playroom.

Summers were spent at Lake Chautauqua, where Barb gave her children the gift of long days filled with swimming, waterskiing, bike rides, board games, and a loving extended family. She made childhood magical. There were handmade dollhouses and train tables, elaborate holiday traditions, and even one unforgettable “Curious George” visit that filled a bedroom with paper boats.

She knew how to make ordinary life feel special — from Christmas Eve open houses to beautifully planned picnics, holiday dinners, and gatherings where everyone felt welcomed and cared for.

Her grandchildren perhaps experienced Barb at her very best during “Nana Days,” weekly adventures filled with crafts, outings, imagination, and play. Her basement became a creative wonderland with a puppet theater, marionettes, costumes, a play kitchen, dollhouses, Hot Wheels tracks, train sets, and enough open space to skate.

At this point, you may reasonably be wondering if Barb ever found time to work outside the home. She did! Barb returned to nursing when her youngest was nine years old and worked her way from part-time nurse to leading the cardiology department at Aultman Hospital.

In retirement, Barb and Earl hit the road. Their favorite destinations included the National Parks of the American West — especially Glacier National Park — and visits with dear friends and family in Florida. They treasured time with Carol and Dave, Linda and Carl, Joyce and Ralph, Sandie and Medhat, and many others. One especially memorable adventure included a voyage aboard the MV Paul R. Tregurtha on Lake Erie with Leslie and Phil.

There is so much more we could say about Barb: her meticulously brushed Golden Retrievers, immaculate flower gardens, expert planning, legendary gift wrapping, and endless collection of decorative pillows.

But more than anything, Barb will be remembered for the care she gave to the people around her. She made life warmer, more beautiful, more organized, more welcoming, and more fun for everyone, lucky enough to know her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

An Open House to celebrate Barb’s life will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 1240 Ivy St. NW., North Canton, OH 44720 from 11am - 6pm with a story sharing time at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Parks Foundation at https://www.nationalparks.org/

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road Akron, OH 44333 (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)