Barbara Pickell

FISHERS - Barbara Ann (Smith) Pickell, 85, of Fishers, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

She was born on March 9, 1940, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to parents, Robert Smith and Irene (Leahy) Smith.

Barb was known to be a gifted, creative artist and crafter. In her free time, she loved to crochet, quilt, knit, paint, and even do some needle felting. She blessed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with handmade stuffed animals, quilts, Christmas ornaments, and any other unique creations that she made.

Barb enjoyed playing bridge weekly with her friends at the Senior Center in Noblesville, where she also sometimes volunteered. She also played in a Bocce league at Britton Falls. You could often find Barb playing cards or board games with her friends and neighbors. Barb and her family camped at Jellystone Park for many years. During retirement she worked at the Jellystone Registration Desk. Barbara loved helping others. She educated parents in the first Indiana parenting class for divorcing parents. She also ran an after-school program for young teens promoting Drug Free Noble County.

A graduate of Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Dayton, Ohio, Barb worked as Registered Nurse and eventually retired from Central Noble School Corporation as a School Nurse.

Barbara is survived by her children, Denise Gwaltney and Jacqueline (Steven) Bushong; grandchildren, Diana Bushong, Zachary Gwaltney, Joshua (Chelsey) Gwaltney, Natalie (Christian) Bushong-Whitfield and Cassianne (Nicholas) Arnold; great-grandchildren, Eliza Whitfield, Cameron Arnold, Bella Gwaltney, JJ Arnold and Luca Whitfield; and sisters, Sharon Ort and Jeanne (Edward) Rielly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond A. Pickell; son, Anthony Joseph Pickell; and sister, Nancy Jenckes.

Visitation for Barbara will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Holy Spirit at Geist, 10350 Glaser Way, Fishers, IN 46037, at 12:30 p.m., followed by a rosary and Memorial Mass at 2 p.m., at Holy Spirit at Giest.

Preferred memorial options are to offer Mass Intentions for Barbara Pickell at a local Catholic Church or donations to Senior Center Organization in Noblesville, Indiana.

All online condolences can be shared at www.flannerbuchanan.com.