Lifespan recently recognized the volunteer efforts of Brockport resident Dianne Hickerson. Provided photoLifespan hosted its 16th Celebration of Aging luncheon on Tuesday, March 27, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center with 1,250 people attending. Lifespan is an organization dedicated to helping older adults take on both the challenges and opportunities of the second half of life. This year’s guest speaker was Diana Nyad, 62, who is attempting to swim 103 miles between Cuba and Florida this summer.
The annual event focuses attention on older adults who are breaking stereotypical myths about aging by “taking it on” in the second half of life, calling them “Second Half Heroes.” At the luncheon, Lifespan honored five local older adults who pursued a personal dream or developed a new passion after age 60.
Brockport resident Dianne Hickerson was honored along with residents from Irondequoit, Greece, and two from Rochester. She was selected as a nominee based on several areas of activity.
•Award-winning artist: At age 55, Dianne retired from a 33-year career as an elementary school teacher at Brockport Central School. Just before retirement in 1996, she began studying watercolor painting. It was her life-long dream to seriously pursue the art when the time demands of a career were over.
She is now a nationally recognized award-winning artist with her work having appeared in juried shows in New York City, Louisville, Toronto, Chicago, Buffalo, Minneapolis, and the Adirondack National Exhibition of American Watercolors in Old Forge, NY. She is a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and of the Rochester Art Club. Her work has appeared in several national art magazines and books.
•Visits with the aging: For six years, Dianne and her therapy dog “Mikey” have been visiting the Lakeside Beikirch Care Center in Brockport every Monday morning. Mikey is a seven-year-old Goldendoodle certified by Therapy Dogs International. Last year, he received their “Remarkable Volunteer Award” for 250 service hours.
•Braille teaching/transcribing: Dianne took a Braille transcribing course in 2008-2009 at the all-volunteer Spencerport Lions Braille Service. In June 2009, she was certified in literary Braille transcribing by the Library of Congress, and taught Braille transcription the following year. Braille transcribes the English language into raised dots on a page for blind people to read with their fingertips. Dianne has transcribed the Best Seller book The Shack which is now in the Braille library of Rochester’s ABVI. She does Braille transcribing with her colleagues every Thursday.
•Avid downhill skier: For over 30 years, in an annual week-long trip every year with friends, she has skied almost every resort in the United States, including Alaska, Canada and the Alps. She skis at Bristol Mountain regularly.
Dianne is a lifelong resident of Brockport. Her home and studio are in the Town of Sweden.
She is married to freelance writer Doug Hickerson. They have four children and nine grandchildren.
