Marylou Hickle

Marylou (Heley) Hickle, 83, of Lancaster, and formerly of Manheim, and Pittsburgh, died peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Trillum Place, Lancaster. Marylou also enjoyed spending time throughout her years in Butler and Watsontown. She was born on October 27, 1942; and was the daughter of the late Mike and Kathryn (Zeiler) Heley. Marylou was the loving wife of the late Colonel Neal R. Hickle (Retd.) who died in September of 2022, following 52 years of marriage.

Marylou was born and raised in Pittsburgh, graduating from Carrick High School, where she met Neal. She spent her childhood enjoying art classes and spending time with her best friends, Carolyn Normandy and Martha Weidenheft. Marylou focused her entire life on supporting and nurturing others. She had a kind soul and a joyful heart.

She graduated from Duquesne University with her nursing degree and loved every moment of her chosen career, starting in the burn unit of Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, and culminating as a Hospice nurse with Hospice of Lancaster County. Marylou also had the opportunity to teach nursing classes and Lamaze classes which she found deeply rewarding.

Marylou loved animals. More often than not, the family home was filled with multiple dogs, cats, and rodents. Marylou visited the SPCA often and was proud of her reputation for picking out the sickest, most homely animal available for adoption to love, nurture and bring back to an acceptable level of health for their remaining days. Marylou also loved reading and her faith in God was always strong, often sharing her favorite bible verse with others, “Be Still, and Know That I am God” Psalm 46:10.

Her true joy though, was her children Karyn Harnish (Scott), Lynne Hickle (Erik Shmukler), and Craig Hickle (Amanda) and her grandchildren - Gretta, Meridyth, El, and Max. She poured everything she had into each of them for as long as she could. And because of that, her love, wisdom and kind nature will live on in them.

Marylou’s beloved younger brother, John Heley, passed on in 2018. But in addition to Marylou’s children and grandchildren, she is survived by her loving sister-in-law, Joyce, her nieces: Jess and Kate and their families.

When asked what she would like her obituary to say, she simply said, “Be kind”. So, in honor of Marylou, please contribute kindly to this world that needs so much more of it.

A Celebration of Life Service to honor Marylou’s life for family and friends will be announced at a later date. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Pennsylvania SPCA (www.pspca.org). To send the family a message of condolence please visit our website at: www.BuchFuneral.com