Beatrice (Bickford) Hicock

Beatrice B. Hicock, of Manchester, Connecticut and Greensboro, Vermont died peacefully on July 11, 2025, at her home at the age of 101. She was born on June 26, 1924, in Springfield, Vermont, daughter of the late George F. Bickford and Louetta (Haynes) Bickford. She attended public schools in Grafton, Mass, The Oakwood School in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and graduated from the University of Vermont. While at UVM, she joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority, which provided her with friendships that lasted her whole life. She was a technician in the Botany Department at Dartmouth College, where she met H. Burton Hicock. In 1949, they married and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota for his graduate studies. In 1954, they moved to Manchester and raised their family. Bea and “Burt” moved into the Arbors of Hop Brook in 2004. They spent their summers in Vermont. She was an active member of Center Congregational Church for many years, was a scout leader, teacher’s aide, was involved with Manchester Area Council of Churches, food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing bank, Hockanum River conservation efforts, as well as other volunteer activities in town. She worked for a time at the US Geological Survey in Hartford. Her experience of the Great Depression made her value natural and man-made resources and led her to promote conserving and recycling passionately. She loved many creative activities, including rug hooking, painting, and woodworking. Her beautiful quilts were family treasures. In recent years she knitted mittens for HeadStart children. She played tennis into her eighties, was excellent at ping pong, and was considering taking up pickleball at the time of her death. She loved sailing, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and all of nature, especially wolves, cardinals and chipmunks. Her greatest joy came from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband and her brother George H. Bickford. She is survived by her children, David and Katherine Hicock of Syracuse, NY, Jane Rudolph of Cape Cod, MA, their spouses and significants, five grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and several nephews and nieces. The family wishes to extend our love and gratitude to the wonderful staff of the Arbors, Beacon Hospice, and the team of home care aides who made it possible for her to live at home until the end. There are no calling hours. A memorial celebration will be held at the family’s convenience. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Manchester Area Council of Churches.