Barbara J. Hickey, 81, passed away on Jan. 31, 2024, in Wichita. She was born on April 11, 1942, to Joseph and Ada Knott.

Barbara grew up in Maryland and had an affinity for seafood, fishing and crabbing, boat rides, light houses, basically anything done on the water. Barbara was hard working and a people person. She had four children, Barbara, Debbie, Robbie and Donald with her first husband, Robert Copsey. She later married Chester Davis, a nuclear engineer and a great stepdad, whose job took the family to Wyoming, Texas and finally Kansas. Barbara became a widow in 1984 but was remarried to Wes Hickey, Sr., in 1986. Barbara and Wes had game birds, went on camping trips, and enjoyed living out in the country until Wes passed away in 1990. Barbara later met John Gilmore, Jr., who was the love of her life and together they shared many adventures. Barbara was a loving wife and mother who will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph, and Ada Knott; husbands, Robert Copsey, Sr., Chester Davis, Wes Hickey, Sr., and John Gilmore, Jr. (life partner); sons, Robert “Robbie” Copsey, Jr., and Donald Copsey-Davis; and siblings, Joseph Knott, Leonard Knott, Catherine Brown, Dorothy Bowles, Virginia Strain, and Aloysius Knott.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Rodney) Ridenour, and Debbie Copsey (Bob Mace); grandchildren, Bryan Miller, Justin Miller, Jeremy Miller, Jamie (Amanda) Hepner, Melissa Hepner, Heather Davis, and Ryan Davis; five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and siblings, Agnes Mac Rae and Margaret (Lester) Bridgett.

A visitation will be held at Wulf-Ast Mortuary in Garden Plain, on Monday, Feb. 5, from 10 a.m.to 12 p.m., with family greeting friends. Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5, at Dale Township Cemetery in Murdock.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Rivercross Hospice, 251 S. Whittier St., Wichita, KS 67207. Condolences may be left at www.wulfastmortuary.com.