Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.

Margaret Hickey Diedrich

March 4, 1929 - April 28, 2023
Grand Rapids, MI

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Service

Saturday, May 20, 2023
11:00 AM EDT
Holy Spirit Church
2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Friends may visit with Margaret's family beginning at 10 AM, and are invited to a lunch that will follow the service.

Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Van Andel Institute
333 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Please specify "Cancer Research" on checks or in the dropdown menu if donating online.

If mailing: please include "Attn: Philanthropy" on front of envelope

Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Margaret Diedrich was a dedicated wife, sister, and friend to many. Known to celebrate the joys in life, she enjoyed traveling and sharing time with her beloved Ed over the years. Margaret found great purpose in helping others, making new friends, participating in professional organizations, as well as singing in the choir. Her legacy of leadership, service and selflessness will be fondly cherished by her many special friends and family for generations to come.

Born on March 4, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, to William and Helen (Finkler) Hickey, Margaret’s birth brought great hope and promise during an exciting time in our nation’s history. The 1920s saw large-scale industrial growth yet the fate of the stock market crash in 1929 left many struggling to find enough resources to put food on the table. Born the second oldest of six children, Margaret was accustomed to sharing resources from a young age. She often reflected that her childhood was filled with fun and laughter.

In her early years, her family moved around during challenging times. In 1931, they relocated to Grand Rapids. They lived with her grandfather in Marne for a short time. Eventually, her family settled on a piece of land to start her father’s fruit farm off Lake Michigan Drive. With a large family, there were plenty of chores to go around. Margaret was known to despise doing the dishes and throughout her life always found a way to dismiss herself from dish duty! Growing up in a faithful home, she and her siblings attended St. James Catholic schools and worshipped together regularly. Margaret’s favorite part of going to church was singing in the choir. She had a real gift for music and enjoyed singing throughout her life.

Margaret was a proud graduate of the Class of 1947 from Grand Rapids Catholic Central. After high school, she attended Davenport College for a year. After working for a time, she came across a young man while walking downtown Grand Rapids. His name was Ed Diedrich, and he would change the course of her life forever! Sharing many commonalities and a mutual attraction, they dated for a year before joining in marriage. The newlyweds settled into their longtime home on Leonard Street on the northwest side of town.

Professionally, Margaret spent the majority of her career working for the Kent County Circuit Court. For her thirty-nine-year tenure, she absolutely loved her job. Working with judges in the courtroom was definitely her niche. Margaret was extremely knowledgeable highly respected. She loved extending herself to organizations in her field. Over the years, she was a proud member of the American Social Women Accountants, the American Business Women, The Grand Rapids Chapter, The American Legion in Marne, and the VFW of Palm Beach. A highlight of her career was helping to start the Kent County Credit Union.

When not working, Margaret enjoyed many of her favorite pastimes. An avid reader, she loved mysteries and when it came to television she preferred movies. For many years, Ed did most of the cooking, although she knew her way around the kitchen as well. Outgoing and personable, she enjoyed hosting and entertaining over the years. They always looked forward to the large gatherings with extended family at her parent’s farmhouse. She and Ed also enjoyed traveling together. Each year for twenty-five years, they returned to San Francisco to enjoy the bay area for a month. Once retired, they bought a home in Lake Worth, Florida, and each year cherished their time there between October and May. Social by nature, Margaret built great friendships there. She was very involved in activities in the park where they lived and eventually became the social director there. A known collector of Mahogany furniture and Waterford crystal, wherever she lived, she had loads of treasures! A frequent shopper at local antique sales, her collection had grown over the years. Margaret certainly knew how to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

When Ed passed in 1991, she was devastated. Leaning on her special friends and family, she continued on. Eventually, she downsized to a smaller home on the northwest side of town and continued her yearly travel plans to Florida. Normally these trips included visits from family or close friends as well. Due to her declining health, this year she spent only one month in Florida. She modeled a lifetime of generosity and shared her time and resources with many in need. Margaret was a beautiful person to know and to love. May her many special friends and family reflect on her wonderful collection of memories and cherish the special moments they spent together.

Margaret (Hickey) Diedrich, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2023. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Edward on July 16, 1991; sister, Eileen Glauz; and brothers; James, Robert, and John “Jack” Hickey. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Barbara & Marvin VanDyke Sr., sisters-in-law; Rose Hickey and Joanne Hickey; many nieces and nephews including Don & Kathleen Wallace; as well as many special friends including David Kamm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Church on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11 AM. Friends are invited to visit with her family at church beginning at 10 AM, and during a luncheon that will follow the service. Margaret’s family suggests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Van Andel Institute (specify for Cancer Research).