In 1955, Ticer received her bachelor's degree in political science from Sweet Briar College.

Ticer served in the Senate of Virginia from 1996 to 2011 and was a Democrat.

Ticer died in a hospital in Alexandria, Virginia from complications from a fall.

She was a real estate agent and served on the boards of Alexandria Library, Athenaeum, the Humane Society, and the United Way.

She served as vestry senior warden of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in 1978, 1979 and from 1981 to 1983.