MARLBOROUGH - Hope J. Rickman, 63, of Marlborough and formerly of Acton, died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 at UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital. She was born in San Francisco, the daughter of Hope J. (Smith) Rickman of Marion and the late Earl C. Rickman. Hope was a graduate of Clayton Valley High School in Concord, CA, and attended Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, CA. She proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1977 to 1999, and was a war veteran of the Gulf War. She was stationed throughout the United States as well as Italy and Korea, and was an Army photojournalist. Honorably discharged with the rank of Sgt. 1C in 1999, she has most recently worked for The Ride-Veterans Transportation Services in Waltham until her death. Hope was a gifted artist, excelling in watercolor and acrylic media. She was a truly selfless person, always giving of herself to others. Hope will be remembered for her beautiful smile, sunny disposition, and kind heart. Besides her mother, she leaves her brother, Jim Rickman of Marlborough, and her sister, Elizabeth "Liz" J. Leatham along with her husband Doug of Marion, three nieces, two nephews, and five great-nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, 10 a.m., at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, One Morse Road, Sudbury. Burial with military honors will follow in Old Town Cemetery, Concord Road, Sudbury. There are no calling hours. Donations in Hope's memory may be made to the National Emphysema Foundation, 128 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home ( www.CollinsFuneral.com ), 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough.  All are invited to sign Hope's online guestbook at www.CollinsFuneral.com .