Name: Calling hours for Roberta Arrigoni "Bobbi" Pickett
Start: 2015-05-15T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-05-15T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Biega Funeral Home

Roberta "Bobbi" Arrigoni Pickett, widow of Connecticut State Senator John F. Pickett Jr., died at Middlesex Memorial Hospital on May 11, 2015. She was 78. Born in Middletown on Sep. 18, 1936 and raised in Durham, she was one of five children of Connecticut State Senator Charles J. Arrigoni and Catherine R. Sisk of New Haven. Pickett graduated from the College of New Rochelle in 1958 and received her master's degree in education from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford in 1961. She worked summers at the family road construction firm, D. Arrigoni & Sons, Inc., and was a beloved second-grade teacher at Eckersly-Hall Elementary School. After the passing of her husband, Pickett raised three children by herself, volunteered with Downey Side in Middletown, was a former neighborhood chairperson for the Middlesex United Way, and was a dedicated University of Connecticut Women's Basketball fan. A life-long educator, Bobbi was instrumental in implementing a gifted and talented program in the Middletown school district and mentored hundreds of students from New England as they applied and gained undergraduate admission into the colleges of their choice as president of Pickett College Counseling. Bobbi is survived by her four siblings (Helen Mooz, Patricia Zeller, William Arrigoni, and James Arrigoni); three children Charles, Daniel, and Kathryn Riley; and grandchild Julianne. Her husband John F. Pickett Jr. died in 1983 and eldest son John F. Pickett III in 1969. The Funeral Liturgy will be held Saturday (May 16th) at 11 a.m. at Saint Francis of Assisi Church, 10 Elm St., Middletown. Burial will be at the convenience of her family in Saint John Cemetery, Middletown. Friends may call at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Middlesex United Way. In lieu of your presence, we ask you to raise a toast in memory of Bobbi. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on May 13, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Roberta Pickett

Sponsored by the family.

7 Entries

Carter Blanchard

October 7, 2017

I'm just learning of this now. To Kate and your brothers, I'm so sorry for your loss. Bobbi was a small but important part of my childhood that stands out in my memory to this day. My father would drive me around the neighborhood trick or treating every Halloween as a kid. Our last stop would always be the Picketts'. My dad would visit with the parents while us kids would hang out and eat our candy. I was very young during those Halloweens, but still have an indelible impression of her as a sweet, kind, wonderful lady.

May 19, 2015

Dear Charlie, though we didn't know Bobbi we know that our mothers are precious..maybe even more so when we can no longer see them. She will still listen for your latest news and cheer you on in your shared vocation. With love and prayers from Herm and Pat and all the Weingarts.

Sandra Blanchard

May 17, 2015

I am so sad to hear about the loss of Bobbi Pickett. My father, Alfred Blanchard, became good friends with Bobbi and her husband back in the 1960s. Bobbi was a wonderful, warm, and inspiring woman who helped so many people. She was a family friend for decades and quite willingly helped me out a few years ago when my daughter was looking at colleges. Bobbi was a delightful, endearing person and I am so glad that she was a part of our lives.

Sven Andersen

May 14, 2015

There are few people in this world that I can say helped changed my path in life and Ms. Pickett was one who did. Growing up in CT with a disjointed and separated family I had little resources and little focus. My aunt (and friend of Bobbie's) introduced me and said "you need to reach out to this woman who can help you get ready for college." Not knowing what to expect I found one of the most inspiring and caring people in Bobbie, willing to give of herself and her time to help a young man who didn't have much direction. I had poor grades and living on my own with a friend my senior year in H.S., it was a quite a challenge. Bobbie got me to focus, set goals and got me into a 2 yr community college where she told me I would need to get my grades up, I did so in 1 yr then transferred to Bentley College. I remember Bobbie helped me shop for items before going off to Bentley, and when I didn't have quite enough money, she helped me. I was humbled by her gracious gesture and knew the only payment I could give was to let her know how she helped me succeed in life. I graduated from Bentley College and now have a successful real estate team north of Boston. I'm blessed to have a wonderful wife and 3 beautiful little girls. As you know Bobbie influenced and changed many lives but she will always have a special place in my heart for she is one person who inspired me to change my "course" and she will never be forgotten. As she looks down on us, I'm blessed to have had the chance to cross paths with such a beautiful and caring woman and I was lucky enough to have her help me change my life. Thank you Roberta "Bobbie" Pickett you may be gone but your friend Sven will never forget you!

May 13, 2015

My sincere sympathy in the loss of Bobbi. How hard this must be for all of you. May the joys and memories of the past, help you get through this time of grief.

Carol Mann

May 13, 2015

To the Pickett Family, I am sorry for your loss. Beth Milardo

May 13, 2015

My condolences to the family of Ms Pickett. May our caring God support you during this difficult time. 1 Peter 5 : 7

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