Elaine C. (Briere) Hickey

Elaine C. (Briere) Hickey ... Loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother

WESTFORD - Elaine Claire (Briere) Hickey, 83, passed from this world, after sharing a day of warmth, laughs and precious memories with her loving family, in the early morning hours of February 15th, 2025, at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. 

Elaine was born in Quincy, MA, to Leo Joseph Briere and Claire Bertha (Boucher) Briere on June 5th, 1941. She was raised alongside her brother, Robert and remained close with both him and her mother for her entire life. 

She married her husband, John “Jack” Hickey in 1960. For most of their life together they lived in Westford, MA, where they established a forever home, raised a family and embarked on countless adventures that fulfilled their love of traveling.

Elaine was an exceptionally kind person with a curious mind and dynamic interests that illustrated how much of a one-of-a-kind, open-hearted person she was. She loved all aspects of cooking, hosting countless holidays, cherishing how food and festivities brought her family together. She would never say no to a good puzzle or card game, especially when her friends or family were participants. She enjoyed watching sports, most notably her beloved Celtics, and her loyalty and affection for certain players was both endearing and impressive.

Elaine’s sparkling personality was defined by her iconic laugh, a delightfully tinkling giggle that would automatically make you smile when it rang out. There was nothing sweeter than telling a story with good punchline, saying something in a silly voice or doing an impression that tickled Elaine enough to elicit one of her genuine and joyful laughs. 

Perhaps Elaine’s greatest legacy is the remarkable family that she and Jack created, with her at the center as their proud matriarch. She is survived by her children, Lisa, Lori, Leslie and her partner Bill, and John and his wife Kristel. From hers and Jack’s four children came twelve grandchildren – Christi, Kaelyn, Brian, Bradley, Andrew, Bria, Jamison, Justin, Carli, Leanne, Skyler and Madison – and nine great-grandchildren – Mark, Liam, Katrina, Aria, Wyatt, Evie, Thalia, Cooper, Luke – all of whom knew her as their beloved “Nanny.” Elaine loved each member of her family fiercely and bonded with all of them uniquely. If you were lucky enough to be Elaine’s child, grandchild, or great-grandchild, she made you feel special and loved for your true self. She is already so dearly missed by the many who loved her. 

The family would also like to recognize and thank the role of her friends at DCI Walden Pond in Concord for their years of friendship and support that meant so much to us. 

Relatives and friends may call at the WESTFORD HEALY FUNERAL HOME, 57 N. Main St., Westford, on Monday morning, February 24, from 9:00 until 10:30 AM. Her Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM at Blessed Trinity Parish - St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, 107 N. Main St., Westford. Interment in St. Catherine Cemetery. To share your thoughts and memories of Elaine, please visit

www.westfordhealy.com