Kathryn Jane Pickrell

1939 - 2025

Kathryn Jane Pickrell

January 3, 1939 - January 8, 2025

Boise, Idaho - Kathryn "Kay" Jane Pickrell (Carmony, Dworak) passed away peacefully in her Boise home of 50+ years, as was her final wish. She was welcomed to her Festival after 86 delightful years, ending with eight weeks of blessings-filled hospice care, subsequent to a resurgence of cancer which she bravely overcame through surgeries and proton therapy treatments nine and seven years prior.

Kay was of Midwest descent, born in Omaha, Nebraska to Mary Jane (Thomas) and Clifford Conrad Carmony. Aside from living in The Presidio in San Francisco during WWII, Kay was raised in Omaha in her grandparents' boarding home and nearby family cafe, while her mother worked full-time after her dad left the family when she was five years old. Kay was also strongly supported and influenced by her older brother, Clifford Carmony, Jr. and maternal uncles, Samuel and Gerald Thomas.

Kay graduated with honors from Central High School (1956) in Omaha where she played in the orchestra, sang in the choir, and enjoyed her science and language studies. It is also where she met her lifelong best friend, Rosanne Almy.

She attended Omaha University for three years with ambitions of becoming a veterinarian. She served in student council and was an elected leader in her sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha) and started her first job at Sears & Roebuck. She met and later married (1959) James J. Dworak III and redirected her attention to family, including two daughters, Linda and Valerie. They moved to Colorado, Missouri and Oregon before settling in Boise in 1973. She chose to divorce in 1977.

Kay married Rev. John W. Pickrell in 1979, with whom she enjoyed 45 years as "newlyweds". Kay and John built a rich life together, fully dedicated to one another and deeply serving their church, family and community. They sang together, traveled together, loved together and supported one another while actively blending their two families, stemming from a combined four daughters, and setting a daily example of life well-lived.

Over the years, Kay worked for the local business school (NE), National Park Service (CO), Grange & Rocky Mountain Insurance (OR) and served a number of years as church secretary at Southminster Presbyterian Church (ID). She culminated her working career with 15+ years as the lead Executive Secretary in the private banking and trust department of First Security Bank in Boise, where she retired with distinction as one of the only women in a male-dominated setting. In addition to her financial diligence and business acumen, Kay is acclaimed for inspiring colleagues, customers, church members and students, always inclined toward helping others to shine bright.

Kay also volunteered with a full heart and faithfully fulfilled her civic duties. The church community was most highly impacted through her service as a church elder, pastor's wife and later as an exemplary deacon at First Presbyterian Church. Numerous other service organizations were also touched by her time and leadership: PEO, Girl Scouts, Candy Stripers, Rainbow Girls, local land trusts and conservation efforts. She was also a member of Eastern Star, sang in Boise's Master Chorale, was a home to numerous adopted animals, and donated to nearly 30 organizations each year.

Kay was best known for her dedication to her spouse, daughters, and (oh my gosh you can't stop her) grandchildren, all of whom benefited greatly from her love, inspiration and encouragement. She was devoted to God and church, and the care and coaching of others; finding, focusing on and nurturing the good in those she met.

Kay was an avid reader and poem writer, both quiet reflections of her rich inner life. Her lifelong affinity for mice was known and supported far and wide, as was her overall love of animals and birds.

Kay is preceded in death by her parents, brother Clifford Carmony, Jr.; uncles Samuel and Gerald Thomas, and James J. Dworak, III.

Those surviving Kay include her beloved husband of 45 years, Rev. John W. Pickrell; daughters Linda Dworak and Valerie Paganelli (Bryan); grandson Adam Paganelli; sister-in-law MaryAnn Carmony, niece Connie Carmony, nephew Tom Carmony (Kelly), great nephew Calvin, great niece Ashlynn; several dear first cousins and lifelong best friend Rosanne Almy (Gene).

Kay equally treasured her blended family, survivors of which include step daughters Ruth Baranick (Dennis) and Sara McCulloch (Scott); grandchildren Dominic Paganelli (Rachel), Amos Cartwright (Amelia), Katie Raygoza (Sam), Matt Cartwright, Susanna Jandzinski (Cody), Faith Hunt (Bryan), Mercy Hasselblad (Matt), Lilly Pierce (Scott), Patience McCulloch, Samuel McCulloch, Gracen McCulloch; 19 great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren.

These and all others who Kay considered "family" will enjoy honoring her legacy, each in ways that reflect their individual relationship.

Immeasurable and heartfelt thanks to family, friends, neighbors, church members, PEO sisters, doctors, and caregivers for your love of Kay, your friendship and shared time, and your ongoing support of her life and her care.

Please join Kay's family and community at her Festival Service:

Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., with a reception to follow, at First Presbyterian Church (950 W. State Street) in Boise, Idaho.

Family and friends will also gather in tribute to Kay at Zoo Boise on Saturday, May 3, 2025, 12:30pm-2:30pm (355 Julia Davis Park Drive) to enjoy together one of Kay's favorite places!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kay's memory to one of these organizations which were among her favorites and may touch your heart as well:

Arbor Day Foundation; Zoo Boise; Idaho Public TV; First Presbyterian Church, Food Pantry; Idaho Food Bank; PEO Foundation; World Wildlife Fund.