Edith Louise Pickens

1938 - 2016

Edith (Edie) Louise Pickens was born May 14, 1938 to John and Louise (Hill) Lonergan. She was a loving mother and wife. Edith is survived by her husband, Earl Pickens, who she married in May 2005, her two daughters, Maya (married to Ian Heathcoate) and Sophia Monteroso, and a granddaughter, Sierra Louise James. She is also survived by a sister, Judith Vest, Nieces Dawn Deal and Melissa Schweid, grandnieces Lyndee Deal and Leah Schweid, and grandnephews Ryan Deal and Nathan Schweid. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Edith graduated from East Denver High School and received her degree in teaching from Denver University. She went on to get her masters in child development and dedicated her life to teaching children -- she loved education. Edith ventured on after undergraduate college to join the Peace Corp where she served in the Philippines. She was an art teacher and an art history enthusiast -- she loved the arts. After a morning of writing, on October 26 th at 12:45, Edith finished the first draft of her memoirs about her experience abroad. Her family could not be more proud of that accomplishment. Her daughters will ensure facilitating the publication of her work. Edie and Earl moved to Fort Dodge from Las Vegas in January 2012 and lived at Friendship Haven. The move to Iowa allowed Edie and Earl to spend more time with Earl's six children and their growing families. Edie was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and numerous service organizations in town. Edie's larger than life character was a joy for her family and friends to be around. She was a fun loving woman! Edith had a love for traveling, enjoying adventures with family and friends. The night of her passing, November 20, 2016, Edith was in Branson, MO while on a trip with friends. They went to the theater and enjoyed life, the special way those who loved her will remember well. In Ft. Dodge a Celebration of Life service will be held on November 25 th in the Celebration Hall at Friendship Haven at 10am. For her family and friends in Denver another Celebration of Life service will be held in the Ivy Chapel at the Fairmont Cemetery in Denver, Colorado on December 1 st at 1pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to: Friendship Haven Mission and Vision Fund, 420 Kenyon Road, Ft. Dodge, IA 50501. Attn: Denise Halverson.