Carol A. (Pomfrey) Hickey

Carol A. Hickey, 83, peacefully passed away on November 18, 2025, at the David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland, with family at her side. She was born August 4, 1942, in Painesville, Ohio, to Herbert and Margaret “Peg” (Casella) Pomfrey, and remained a proud lifelong resident of Painesville throughout her life.

Carol lived a life full of compassion, humor, and unmistakable personality. She had an enduring passion for animals – especially her beloved German Shepherds. She spent many years working at PetSmart, where her friendly, pleasant demeanor brought smiles to countless customers. Anyone who walked through the doors while she was working was guaranteed to leave with both what they needed, a little extra sunshine and a story or two that they probably weren’t expecting.

When she wasn’t working, Carol and her late husband, Jerry, were often off on an adventure. Together they explored Alaska, Ireland, Mexico, Mississippi riverboat cruises and many of their favorite places closer to home. She was known for her love of lobster tails, crab legs and just about most other seafoods, evenings at local wineries, and weekends spent camping (some would more accurately say, glamping) at Holiday Camplands in Andover. In earlier years, Carol was an excellent bowler who competed in several leagues, and in her later years she switched her competitive energy to the digital world, becoming a fierce and formidable player of Wordle and Words with Friends.

Those who knew Carol remember a woman with an easy laugh, a kind heart, a loyal, protective spirit that showed up for the people and animals she cared about, a little sarcasm and a stubborn streak that, more often than not, worked in her favor. And now, in Heaven, her family imagines she’s already yelling for Jerry to stop drinking beer with the neighbors in the garage and come inside for dinner.

Carol is survived by her daughter, Kimberly (Mark) Zimmerman; sons Douglas Hickey, Geoffrey (Emily) Hickey, and Tim (Michelle) Hickey; her sister, Barbara O’Brien; grandchildren Bryan (Marissa) Zimmerman, Bret Zimmerman, Brayden Zimmerman, Danica Zimmerman, Gregory (Binbin) Hickey, Geoff Hickey, Isaac Hickey, and R.J. Hickey; and great-grandchildren Robert Zimmerman and Penelope Zimmerman.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas G. Hickey, in 2021, and her parents, Margaret and Herbert Pomfrey, both of Painesville.

A private family service will be scheduled in the future at Evergreen Cemetery in Painesville.

In lieu of floral arrangements, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve and/or Silver Fur K9 Rescue (Austinberg), honoring Carol’s compassion and her lifelong love of animals.

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