Shannan Hickey has not been forgotten – her legacy will carry on and continue to make a meaningful difference for generations to come.
That’s the message from Quinte Health, the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation, and Shannan’s family following the announcement of the establishment of the Shannan Hickey Memorial Education Endowment.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, which also marked the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Quinte Health says Shannan was a beloved nurse whose life was tragically taken by intimate partner violence on May 21, 2024.
She was 26 years old.
Dad Matthew Hickey says Shannan was passionate about learning and helping others grow.
“This endowment means her spirit of care and compassion will continue to support those who dedicate their lives to helping others,” adds Matthew.
Quinte Health colleagues remember Shannan as a bright, compassionate member of the health-care team at Belleville General Hospital, saying she was known for her kindness, generosity, and ability to bring light and warmth to those around her.
Quinte Health says the endowment reflects Shannan’s deep commitment to healthcare excellence and her belief in the importance of lifelong learning.
“With an initial investment of $265,000, including a $50,000 contribution from the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation, the fund is designed to provide ongoing support for Quinte Health staff pursuing educational and professional development opportunities, ensuring that Shannan’s legacy will continue to make a meaningful difference for generations to come,” says Quinte Health.
Starting in the new year, the endowment will distribute annual funding to support educational pursuits, such as formal degree programs, professional certifications, continuing education courses, and specialized training. Quinte Health employees – both clinical and non-clinical – will be eligible to apply.
“This fund is such a beautiful reflection of who Shannan was – compassionate, curious and committed to helping others,” says Stacey Daub, Quinte Health’s president and CEO. “Her legacy will continue to lift others up, reminding us all of the power of care and community.
“We’re profoundly grateful to her family for creating this opportunity in her honour,” continues Daub.
According to Quinte Health, applications through the fund will go on to be accepted annually between Jan. 1 and March 31 and recipients announced in May. Funding decisions will be made by a committee, including her father Matthew and a representative from the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation, which is reportedly managing the endowment on behalf of Quinte Health.
Although Shannan worked primarily at Belleville General Hospital, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Response program, which supports survivors across all Quinte Health’s four hospitals, is located at Trenton Memorial Hospital. Officials say the endowment will be administered in a way that reflects Shannan’s values and her impact.
“Our foundation is honoured to help keep Shannan’s memory alive,” says Lindsay Butcher Dodds, the hospital foundation’s executive director. “Guided by compassion and a deep sense of community, we’re proud to support a fund that will help Quinte Health staff continue to learn, grow and care for others, just as Shannan did.”
Quinte Health also has a “Shannan’s Light” monument at BGH. Staff say these initiatives in Shannan’s memory are meant to continue to inspire learning, compassion, and awareness around the need to end intimate partner violence.
Residents wanting to donate to the endowment can find additional information via the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation’s website.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
