Obituary for Kandell “Kandi” Michon Hickey Kandell (Kandi) Michon Hickey of Grand Island, Formerly of Alda, was welcomed into her heavenly home on May 14, 2018, where she joined the choir of angels. A Mass of Christian burial will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church. Father James Schmitt and Father Joe Kadaprayil SDB will officiate.
Visitation will be on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. at the church, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Burial will be in St. Anselmo Catholic Cemetery at 3:30 p.m. Monday. Kandi was born on January 29, 1969 to Michael and Virginia (Kinish) Hickey, in Callaway, NE. The family moved to Cairo when Kandi was 3 and she attended pre-school in Grand Island; and went to Connell School until the age of 12.
She then moved to Alda and attended Walnut Jr. High School. Kandi was a member of the 1990 Grand Island Sr. High School graduating class. Those left to cherish her memory include her mother, Virginia of Alda; sister Kelli (Clark) Plihal of Shelton, brothers, Shane (Sandy) Hickey of Comstock and Mitch (Teresa) Hickey of Scotia; nephews, Dylan Plihal, Ryan Hubka, and Tyler Veirs; nieces, Katie Hickey, Gina Gorham, Abby Plihal and Breanna Plihal; numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
Also, special friends and caregivers, Kristi Porter and Cindy Kerr; her roommate, Kristen Frederickson; and all the staff at MNIS and Mosaic. Kandi was greeted in heaven by her father Mike; grandparents, Bill and Gertrude Hickey, and Art and Lily Kinish, step-grandfather, Lyle Kutsch; a very dear cousin, Diane (Booton) Doty; a special aunt, Sarah O’Mara; and Charley Clark, who was like a second father to her. Kandi shared an apartment with other girls and staff provided through MNIS and Mosaic.
She worked in their sheltered workshop and at numerous part time jobs in the Grand Island area until November 2014. With her health declining, Kandi then moved into the Mosaic ICF home. She loved school, country music, dancing, rodeo’s, county and state fairs, movies, embroidery, and crafts.
Kandi was always so proud of her accomplishments and had every right to be as she worked hard to achieve them. Animals loved Kandi, and that love was returned by her. They could sense the kind-hearted person that she always was.
When she was young, she loved riding horses with her sister and brothers, doing chores, and bottle feeding the calves. Her only fears were the dark and storms. She loved traveling and was able to go on several ARC trips.
Her biggest adventure was when Kristi took her and Kristen to Cancun, Mexico for a vacation. She had the time of her life. Kandi has also been to Las Vegas to gamble; Wyoming to sight see; Nashville, TN; Branson, MO; and Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains in CO.
Kandi’s greatest loves were her family and the Special Olympics. She began as soon as age permitted, and in 2010 she was inducted into the Special Olympics Hall of Fame in Omaha. She was chosen the Nebraska Female Athlete of the Year and lit the torch for the state opening games in 2011.
Kandi was a member of ARC and the Special Olympics. She was also a long-standing member of the Resurrection Catholic Church, where she attended Mass every Sunday with her family when she was younger, and later with her mother and friend Charley Clark. Dale Evans’ popular book, Angel Unaware, was given to her mother at the time of her birth.
The title was taken from a verse in the New Testament which says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained Angels unaware”. Kandi was truly an unaware angel. Kandi’s eyes were the windows to her soul, and when she was excited or happy, she would just glow.
Her love was unconditional and she would greet everyone with a hug and a smile. She always displayed her faith in God in all she did. Through Kandi, her family, friends, and doctors have seen God work in mysterious ways.
Her mother recalls that when Kandi was 3, she had open heart surgery. Kandi was able to wiggle her feet out of the restraints, bring them up to her face and pull out all the tubes from her nose and throat. After doing so, she was able to rest peacefully and return home in just a week.
The doctor had stated, “That’s a miracle, she did what we couldn’t do after many tries”. Another testament to Kandi’s faith came after her father’s sudden passing. Kandi would frequently ask her mother when her dad was coming home.
One morning she awoke happy and excited; and told her mom she had seen her dad. “He is running and playing in the Special Olympics, he’s up there Mom, he’s happy”. Kandi never again asked when her dad would return home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Grand Island Special Olympics, St. Jude Hospital, or to the family for later designation. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kandell “Kandi” Michon Hickey please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 MAY 20.
05:00 PM – 07:00 PM Resurrection Catholic Church NE, US Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Kandell “Kandi”‘s Visitation begins. Prayer 2018 MAY 20. 07:00 PM Resurrection Catholic Church NE, US Order Flowers for the Prayer Service Guaranteed delivery before Kandell “Kandi”‘s Prayer Service begins.
Mass of Christian Burial 2018 MAY 21. 10:30 AM Resurrection Catholic Church NE, US Order Flowers for the Mass of Christian Burial Guaranteed delivery before Kandell “Kandi”‘s Mass of Christian Burial begins.
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