Caroline Hickey

Mom passed away peacefully surrounded my loved ones holding her hand on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, October 4, 2016.

Caroline Torretta Hickey was born to Paul and Marie Torretta on July 10, 1935, in Walla Walla Washington. She was a first generation American in her family, and very proud of her Italian Heritage.

She grew up on an onion, and asparagus farm, working as a young girl before school, and after. The work was hard and we believe that is where she got her inner strength from. She loved every animal on her farm, and every critter. She even made friends with mice in the family barn and would pet them. She spoke often of her mother’s home made raviolis and plentiful meals where her mother would always feed a hungry stranger passing by. Dinner was always a celebrated event in her home. Her first language was Italian and she loved to go back and visit relatives speaking perfect Italian. In 2000, she returned to her parents hometown in Tuscany Italy with her sister Angela, and her daughter, Kathy Jo.

Her first Job outside of the farm was operating an elevator at St. Mary’s hospital where she enjoyed everyone she met. At the age of 20, she went to work at the phone company – Pacific Northwest Bell, and worked in several offices in the area, including Walla Walla, Arlington, Oregon, and Pasco, WA. In 1962, Caroline transferred back to the Walla Walla telephone office and spent the rest of her career working there, retiring in 1996 after 42 years of service. It was there that she met a very special group of ladies, that became lifelong friends, who enjoyed lunch together every Thursday.

On a blind date arranged by her dear friend LuRae, she met her future husband, Phillip L. Hickey. They dated for a while, and then on a long drive, dad said “your thing is in the glove box”. That thing was an engagement ring and they married September 7, 1958 at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. About six months after the wedding, dad was involved in a horrific car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Mom told Jesus that if he lived, she would always take care of him, and she did just that. Dad had to learn to walk, talk, eat, and do just about everything that requires day to day living. Dad did get better over time, and became a great husband and father. On their anniversary this year, dad became ill and had to be transported to the hospital. Mom was very upset at first, but when she found out he was going to be ok, she said, her sense of humor came back and said “how rude of him to leave me on our anniversary.”

She never said no to her kids having a friend or two or three over, and would go straight to the grocery store to make sure there were plenty of snacks.

She saved every coffee tin she owned; to later fill it with Fantasy, and Rocky road fudge and deliver it to family or friends in her 1966 Chevy Caprice. She was famous for her German Chocolate cakes, from Scratch, but more than anything, she was famous for the way she made everyone feel.

She worked full time, managing a family, finances, and always made sure everyone was well taken care of. The most important thing to her was letting people know how much they meant to her, and that they were well fed.

She made everyone feel like the most important person in the world. She respected and loved every life. Eventually word of her kindness spread, and stray cats would end up on her doorstep. She took care of every one of them, providing them shelter, medical care, and plenty of food. The family had to intervene when she was out feeding her strays and didn’t notice one of them was a raccoon enjoying her generosity.

Mom became Grandma or Nonie in Italian with the birth of her four grandkids and treasured the time she spent with them. A special gleam was in her eyes when she was with them, and took joy in giving them special gifts whenever she could.

Mom is survived by her husband Phillip, son William Hickey, daughter Kathy Jo Gonzalez, her four grandchildren, Rachael Cara Lynn Gonzalez, Riley Jo Gonzalez, Jaden Joseph Gonzalez, Jayelle Hope Gonzalez., all of Walla Walla, brother David Torretta and wife Wilma of Mt Vernon, WA, and sister Angela Neary of Bellevue, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Marie Torretta, brothers Louis and Albert Torretta.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016 from 11:00 until after the rosary at 6:00 PM, at the Herring Funeral Home with Sister Helen Mason, Officiating. Services will follow on Saturday, October 15, 2016, 10:00 AM at the Funeral Home, with Father Kyle Ratuiste, Celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society or Meals on Wheels through Herring Funeral Home. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book at www.herringgroseclose.com.