Lillian (Hickey) Breen

HOLYOKE

Lillian Hickey “Dee Dee Dear” Breen left this earth peacefully on August 30, 2019 at the age of 97, surrounded by the love of her family.  Born and raised in Holyoke, where she lived for most of her life, she was the daughter of Daniel and Josephine Hickey.  She was predeceased by her husband Roger Breen; sisters Mary Duffy, Eileen Benoit Anderson, Anna Mae Kellett, a brother, Cornelius “Buddy” Hickey, a niece, Mary Alice Duffy and her lifelong best friend, Jean Grady.  Lil graduated from Holyoke High School and was employed by the Worthington Corporation for many years until she retired to care for her aging mother.  In her younger years she enjoyed golfing, and Thursday night shopping trips with Jean.  She was an active member of the Holyoke Jewish Seniors where she attended exercise class weekly. A die hard Red Sox fan, she celebrated her 90th birthday at Fenway amidst her loving nephews.  Most important to “Dee Dee”, above all else, was time spent with her family.  She was our “Breen Queen” was dearly loved and will be missed immeasurably. The matriarch of her family, Lil is survived by her loving nieces; Patti Benoit Polunci, Barbara Benoit Goldberg (Richie), Joyce Kellett McKnight (Al), Maureen Hickey Hefner (Doug) and nephews Danny Hickey (Linda), Mike Hickey (Penelope) and Danny Kellett.  Sean Breen, Susan Moynihan, Mary Breen, Kelly Bousquet, Eileen Breen; and many great nieces and nephews. The Funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton St. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 p.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street.  A calling hour will be held prior to the service from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to The Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168, Boston, Ma. 02284 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift. For more information see: barryjfarellfuneralhome.com.

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