Carolyn Irwin Hickson

Carolyn Irwin Rhodes Hickson, age 83, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Friday August 19, 2016 in Rogers, Ark. She was born December 13, 1932 in Fayetteville to Paul Taylor Rhodes Sr. and Eugenia Joseph Rhodes. She was of the Methodist faith. She is survived by her brother, Paul Taylor Rhodes Jr. and his wife Ann of Batesville, Ark.; niece, Ansel Ponder and her husband Drew of Batesville, and her dearest friend/former student, Kitty Gaines Maas (husband Dana) of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, who was like a daughter to her. Carolyn attended and graduated from Fayetteville High in 1950, and went on to earn her Bachelor of Music at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 1954. She continued her education in Bloomington at University of Indiana, studying with her ultimate mentor, the acclaimed concert pianist and teacher Sydney Foster. She married and moved to Ontario, Canada, before returning to Fayetteville to continue work on her Masters degree at the University. She received her degree in 1966, and was ultimately hired as professor for the music department in Fayetteville. There she taught piano, music theory, class piano, piano pedagogy and other classes. She began work on a doctorate in 1981 at University of Iowa. She returned to Fayetteville to continue her duties as professor there before she retired in 2011. Her students meant the world to her. Besides her music, Carolyn loved and amassed a very large collection of dolls. She had great interest in history and politics, and was a staunch and supportive Democrat. She was always learning about the health benefits of vitamins and yoga, and loved great literature and art. Reading was a passion, and she had books near her all the time. Her dogs Fritz and Hanon, and her beloved birds and squirrels, were her friends who gave her many hours of great joy and comfort. Visitation will be 4–5:30 p.m. Wednesday August 24, 2016 at Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville. Memorial service will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Moore's Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Carolyn Hickson Piano Scholarship Fund, U of A Foundation c/o Rachel Krest. 535 Research Center Blvd., Ste. 120, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701 Please call 479-575-2944 for more information. To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.