Remembering Former County Commissioner Of Jurors Anna Hickey

Rockland County legislators offer their condolences on the passing of former Rockland County Commissioner of Jurors Anna Hickey, who died Tuesday at age 95.

Often called Ann, Ms. Hickey spent her years caring for her family and community.

“Ann Hickey spent most of her life in service to others and through her actions, will forever inspire all of us to do the same,” County Legislator Harriet Cornell said. “From her work with the Tappan Zee High School PTA to her hours as a dispatcher for the Piermont ambulance corps to her service as County Commissioner of Jurors, her days were marked by selflessness and dedication. Somehow, despite her busy days, she was also a devoted wife and the mother of 10.”

Commissioner Hickey’s passing was announced by the Piermont Fire Department, where her sons serve and where her late husband, John, a World War II veteran, was a life member.

Ms. Hickey, who was born and raised in Piermont, served 12 years as Rockland County Commissioner of Jurors, often conducting outreach by speaking to civic groups, high school classes, and scout troops about what she described as the “privilege” of serving as a juror and voting.

She saw significant changes to the jury system during her tenure, including the relocation of the jury room. Once housed in a small, windowless basement in the “old” Rockland County Courthouse, it moved  to the new courthouse addition, which boasted a large airy space with picture windows and plenty of seating.

Operations were also streamlined during her tenure, eliminating the duplication of jury lists for towns and villages through the use of digital recordkeeping. Even the fee paid to jurors changed, increasing from $15 per day to $40 per day, where it remains today.

County Legislator Aron Wieder, a member of the Jury Commissioner Board, said Ms. Hickey was known for making the experience of serving as a juror a positive one.

“Many former jurors spoke of the wonderful experience their jury service had been and it was all due to Commissioner Hickey and her ability to make jurors truly feel they were part of the American jurisprudence system – right in their own hometown,” Legislator Wieder said. “Thanks to her, jury duty was positive and memorable.”

Ms. Hickey’s vast service included time as administrative assistant to the Special Prosecutor’s Office, Medical Fraud Unit and confidential secretary and administrative assistant to Robert R. Meehan, when he was the Rockland County District Attorney.

She organized and served as president of the Ladies Auxiliary of Piermont VFW Post 746; was past president of the Tappan Zee High School PTA; Vice President of the VFW County Council; and received many honors, including an award from the Filippo Mazzei Lodge No. 2207 – Ms. Hickey was of Italian descent. She was also active with St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Piermont, a choir member with St. Anthony’s Church in nearby Northvale, N.J., and a member of the Catholic Daughters of America.

Her proudest accomplishment, according to published reports, was being a mother of 10 children – five with her husband and five foster children from St. Dominic’s and St. Agatha’s.