Esther Lily Delores PICKSTON

PICKSTON, Esther Lily Delores Passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on Friday, January 4 at Pioneer Eldercare in St. Catharines at the age of 85. Predeceased by her husband, Don. Caring mother of Barbara (Pat) Wynne, Sandra (Gary) Enskat, David Pickston, Allan (Lorna) Pickston, Lesley Pickston and Jason (Shanaz) Pickston. Loving Grandma of Shaun, Adam and Jeremy Wynne, Jordan and Kathryn Enskat, Alyssa Gilmore, Cameron and Matthew Terry and Rebecca Pickston as well as several great-grandchildren. Lily is predeceased by her brother Rodger Torjusen, and her sisters Valerie Male-Hayward and Marilyn Joyce Lewis. She is survived by her brother Leif Torjusen, sisters, Deanie Tomlin and Bonita Goodison, sister-in-law Olive Williamson as well as dear friend Wendy Rongits. Esther Lily Delores Torjusen was born April 15, 1933 in Halifax Nova Scotia to Leif Torjusen and Gladys Gilbert. She was a year and a half old when her father, a fisherman, was lost at sea. Several years later her mother married a man in the Air Force, William (Gerry) Goodison. He loved Lily as his own daughter. The family moved to Montreal. As a teenager Lily was enjoying a brief retail stint with Eaton's when the family was again moved, this time to Goose Bay, Labrador. It was there, she met her younger sisters' teacher, Don Pickston. They married, moved to St. Catharines, raised six kids and enjoyed 58 years together. Lily (she hated being called Esther) had a kind, gentle and nurturing nature with a special fondness for children. Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt Lily...no matter what you called her you could count on her. She provided advice and comfort to everyone. Lily loved music, enjoyed the beauty of art, flowers, baking and was often seen dancing around the house to one tune or another (she liked to tell us that, as a child, in the absence of a partner she danced with a door) singing at the top of her lungs. She rarely lost her temper however when pushed to her limit the extent of her anger was limited to running around the house wielding a fly swatter while assorted laughing kids scattered to the wind. It was a good time growing up in that house. Lily was gifted with an artist's heart and a musician's spirit. She could transform anything from the most mundane object into a work of art. Crepe paper became a vase of flowers...or a witch's costume. Fabric became a smocked dress for one of her beloved grandkids. Matching outfits were her specialty. Few were able to equal the precision and flair of her gift wrapping abilities. Even fewer were able to penetrate the armour of assorted tapes, ribbons and bows. Her baking lured family members from far and wide into the kitchen to enjoy any treat her husband Don didn't get to first. Lily leave behind a legacy of countless memories and will be dearly missed. We will miss the smell of her pumpkin pies as they cool on the kitchen table. We will miss the touch of her hand as she comforts yet another soul. We will miss the sight of her as she's sprawled out on the floor, playing with Lego with the grandkids. We will miss the sound of her singing as she strums her ukulele. ""Enjoy your tip toe through the tulips"". You earned it. Many thanks to kindness and loving care given by the wonderful team at Pioneer Eldercare. You made Lily's transition over these last 6 years as comfortable as possible. In accordance with Lily's wishes, cremation has taken place and a small family interment will take place sometime in the future. If desired memorial donations to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto would be appreciated by the family. On-Line Guest Book - www.georgedartefuneralhome.com