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Toni Pickard Obituary
Des Moines
Toni (Marigene) Pickard, 85, of Des Moines passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving husband Bob, family and friends on February 1, 2012.
Toni was born in Waterloo, Iowa the daughter of Hazel and Burdette Smith. Toward the end of World War II Toni worked in Chicago at the Gardner General Hospital and also sang with Bob Eberle's band at the USO. Toni married the love of her life Bob Pickard on New Year's Eve in 1946.
After moving to Des Moines in 1952 Toni became very active in the Des Moines Community Playhouse and the Drama Workshop. She performed in more than twenty productions. Toni is perhaps best known for her acclaimed performance in the Des Moines Community Playhouse 1964 production of Gypsy, playing the lead role of "Mama Rose." In 1966 Toni was recognized with an Archie for her outstanding performance as the "Fortune Teller" in Skin of Our Teeth at the Drama Workshop.
Toni is greatly missed by her husband and family, including her daughter Cindy O'Mahony of Sydney, Australia, son Robb Pickard of Denver, Colorado, son and daughter-in-law Jon and Cassy Pickard of Guilford, Connecticut. Toni and Bob are blessed with four grandchildren John and Cate O'Mahony and Elizabeth and Sarah Pickard. In addition they have two great-grandchildren Solana and Charlotte O'Mahony.
A memorial service will be held in her honor at Plymouth Congregational Church at 4126 Ingersoll Avenue at 11:00 a.m. Friday February 10, 2012
In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome in Toni's memory for the Plymouth Congregational Church or for the Des Moines Community Playhouse.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Toni Pickard
Valerie Pugh
January 30, 2020
Wow, its the eighth anniversary of Toni Pickards passing. Just want the the Pickard family to know that I think of her often. She was such a dynamic force in the Des Moines Theatre community. I always admired her not only as a talented actress, but a most wonderful mother of three great children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She was the adoring wife of the late Bob Pickard for over 60
years. I know her family is thankful that Toni and Bob lived their lives to the fullest, but still miss her very much, as I do too. May you Rest In Peace my friend. God Bless.
Diane Balko Brumder
February 14, 2012
Toni was a gracious and engaging woman with a big presence, a beautiful face and voice, and a way of making people at ease and happy. I was fortunate to have Toni as my acting buddy at the Des Moines Playhouse when I was just 10 years old, and even more lucky to know her and her wonderful family, as she and Bob were dear friends of my parents, Jim and Mary Lee Balko.
February 14, 2012
I have just learned of Toni's passing. Toni was a gracious and engaging woman with a big presence, a beautiful face and voice, and a way of making people at ease and happy in her presence. I was fortunate to have Toni as my acting buddy at the Des Moines Playhouse when I was just 10 to 12 years old, and even more lucky to know her and her wonderful family, as she and Bob were dear friends of my parents, Jim and Mary Lee Balko. - Diane Balko Brumder, Park City, Utah
Judy Kagin
February 10, 2012
We Kagins met Toni during Gypsy, and the Pickards became and stayed good friends of the family. Toni was a dynamic force. Her talents and warm smiles will be missed. Remember her with joy.
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February 7, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. We hope your memories will comfort you. Linda Naughton Beebe (Weslaco,TX)
Toni Pickard
February 6, 2012
Cindy: Valerie Pugh informed me of your mothers passing..we all graduated from North High School.
Just let me tell you, my prayers are with you and your family, in this time of sadness, and a celebration of your mothers life and work...
I lost my mother years ago and the loss is very sad and a celebration of a life.....
God Bless
Morey Ickowitz
thea albert
February 6, 2012
What a full and wonderful life - filling others lives with laughter and kindness. Toni - a gem for all ages. The stage lights will dim and the heavens will shine.
Sue Rinard Weaver
February 5, 2012
I am very saddened to hear about Toni...My prayers and thoughts are with her family during this time of great sorrow.
Valerie Pugh
February 5, 2012
Let's celebrate the great life and time of Mrs. Pickard along with family and friends. I will be attending her funeral service this Friday. God Bless you all.
February 5, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
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