Kiersten Hickman-Perfetti

Kiersten E. Hickman-Perfetti, age 22, of Highland Park, died on April 23rd at home with her parents after an almost 4-year battle with cancer. Kiersten was born in New Brunswick, N.J. on July 5, 1985. She attended public school in Highland Park. Kiersten played varsity basketball, threw the shot put, discus, and javelin, and managed the football and baseball teams at Highland Park High School. She swam at the YM/YWHA and the University Swim Club from ages 5 to 14. Kiersten was an avid music lover. She played the clarinet and was in the High School band.
Kiersten attended Goucher College in Towson, Maryland for her freshman year in college 2003-2004. Kier played basketball at Goucher College her freshman year, and she was awarded an honorary degree by Goucher in 2007. She was an avid Rutgers Women's basketball fan and friend to the team, and a member of the Rutgers Cager's Club. The RU women's basketball ream dedicated their 2007-2008 season to Kier. Kier enjoyed scrapbooking, reading, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, music and movies. She took art lessons. Kiersten loved children and became an important person in the lives of many children in Highland park and at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
During her illness, Kiersten developed a list of things to accomplish. She went to the Daily Show four times and met Jon Stewart and Teri Abrams, who were very kind to her. She went to the Ellen DeGeneres Show, several Fab Faux concerts, Saturday Night Live, The Lion King, Rent, the WNBA 2007 All-Star game, and the NCAA 2007 Final Four Women's Basketball games. Kier also started a foundation, Kier's Kidz, to raise money for research into the treatment and cure of pediatric cancer.

Memorial Service

Sunday May 4, 2008 , 2:00 p.m. at Kirkpatrick Chapel

Viewing: 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2008 at Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home

Facts Born: July 5, 1985
Place of Birth: New Brunswick, N.J.
Death: April 23, 2008
Place of Death: At Home
Hobbies: Sports, Crossword Puzzles, Music, Scrapbooking, Sudoku and Movies
Survived By Mimi Hickman-Perfetti, Mother
Larry Perfetti, Father
Keith Hickman-Perfetti, Brother
Betty Perfetti, Paternal grand-mother
Preceded in Death By Al Perfetti, Paternal grand-father
George and Nancy Hickman, Maternal grandparents


Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to:
Kier's Kidz Lemonade Stand

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