Ferne Ree Picinich

Ferne Ree (Scarborough) Picinich of San Marcos, California passed away surrounded by her loving family on November 8, 2025.

Ferne was born on September 10, 1935 to her adoring parents Alfred Moultry (A.M.) and Frankie Rae (Evans) Scarborough in Tarkington Prairie, Texas. Her early years were shaped by the warmth and companionship of a close-knit family including her older brother, Alfred Young, her younger brother Evan, and her beloved Aunt Earline as well as many other friends and family members whom she cherished.

Ferne grew up as a true Texan having spent her childhood in several Texas communities such as Bryan, Broadus, Nome, Huntsville, and Sour Lake. She graduated as Valedictorian from Sour Lake High School in 1953, earning numerous awards and distinctions such as Neches River Festival Duchess May Fete, Sour Lake Halloween Duchess, Sour Lake Head Cheerleader, Student Council President, and Texas History Club President. She also played four years of basketball, was an accomplished pianist and saxophone player, participated in student productions and academic clubs, and was voted “Most Intellectual Girl” and “Most Likely to Succeed” by her peers. Ferne furthered her education at the University of Texas at Austin, receiving her B.S. in Elementary Education with a Minor in Speech.

In November of 1956, Ferne married Alfred A. Picinich. Together, they navigated the many moves of military life going to Texas, Georgia, Washington, D.C., New Mexico, Nebraska, California, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Virginia. No matter where she lived, Ferne created a warm and welcoming home while raising her four children - Craig, Lissa, Blake, and Heather - who were the center of her world. She nurtured them with quiet strength, showing by example how to live with dignity, perseverance, and kindness.

Ferne dedicated her professional life to education and service to others. She spent a memorable term working for Senator Lyndon B. Johnson’s Washington D.C. office during his time as Senate Majority Leader. She also taught kindergarten, first grade, fifth grade, and remedial reading students for many years and, later in life, worked at the National Association of Secondary School Principals in Reston, Virginia advancing national leadership development in education.

Ferne could always be counted on to support her children by volunteering at numerous events over the years such as school fieldtrips, classroom celebrations, soccer tournaments, and dance competitions. She was a steadfast servant to her churches where she served on leadership teams, sang in choirs, played the piano, led vacation bible church school, and directed children’s choirs. She also served as President of the Junior Women’s Club for a time, selflessly lending her skills and leadership capabilities to enrich the lives of others.

Above all, Ferne was a woman of grace, kindness, and quiet strength whose intellect and character was widely recognized and admired. She was an excellent mother and a loyal friend. She was beautiful, both inside and out, and lived her life with humility and a deep, unwavering love for her family. Her legacy of service, integrity, and southern charm will live on in each of us.

Ferne is survived by her husband Alfred Picinich; her children: Craig Picinich (Cecilia), Lissa Ware (Joachim), Blake Picinich (Heather), and Heather Bishara (John); her grandchildren: Jessika Picinich (Zach), Chelsea Rosenbloom (Nate), Evan Ware (Anthony), Jordan Ware, Hannah Picinich, Brooke Picinich, Alex Bishara, and Nicholas Bishara; her two great-grandchildren: Gabriel and Madeline Rosenbloom; and so many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who were truly blessed to have known and loved her.

A memorial service for Ferne Ree Picinich will be held on Friday, January 9th at 2pm at Meridian on the Lake Senior Living Community in San Marcos, CA.