Mary Jane Smith Pickett, died on August 11, 2016 with her sweetheart and children around her, peacefully bringing an end to the life she so cherished here on earth. Born February 14, 1946, in Salt Lake City, the youngest of two daughters of Dale Howard and Bessie Lucille Smith, Mary Jane grew up in Centerville, Utah with her sister, Julia. She recalled with pleasure her mother's bottled fruit and fishing with daddy on their daddy-daughter getaways. She was a beautiful teenager serving samples at Valley Shopping Center when Paul Jay Pickett caught her eye. He was a student at University of Utah and had returned from serving a mission in London, England. They fell in love and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 11, 1965. They remained lifelong sweethearts and very best friends. They lived in Bountiful and Woods Cross, Utah then moved to Burley, Boise, and Idaho Falls, Idaho, before moving back to Utah and living in Sandy, then settling in Riverton. Her family brought her the most joy and happiness of anything. They had five children, seventeen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She loved flowers and spending time in her flower gardens that she always made absolutely beautiful. She enjoyed car rides with her husband - long or short - and always took notice of the flowers, leaves, and beauty around her. She loved doing anything with her family… a few of her many favorites were making salsa and jam with her girls, family barbecues and volleyball matches, sitting around campfires telling stories, sewing anything from wedding dresses to baby blessing gowns to cross stitch for her newlyweds and eagle scouts and many quilts, she was a wonderful cook and loved sharing her recipes for everyone to enjoy, particularly her potato salad and salsa. She loved going to her kids and grandkids events, always a few minutes early to get a good seat, and took pride in their accomplishments. She was very patriotic and proud of her military son and grandson. She loved to travel with her sweetheart and her favorite place of all their many travels was always by his side… always walking hand-in-hand, they were sweethearts and look forward to being together again someday. A beautiful woman with an ageless twinkle in her eye, she was always a lady, but very witty and tough. She was courageous in her health battles, never complaining and always fighting, enduring with all she had. While she lived her life to be at every finish line cheering her family on, especially her sweetheart's, most recent she fought for her own health like a marathoner fights for his finish line. She had a unique way of making everyone feel special and her kindness touched many. She was shy but as she aged, her aura grew strong and shed light upon everyone around her. She was an amazing example in countless ways and she will be missed greatly.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents and her brother in law, David Mitchell Oldham. She is survived by her beloved husband, Paul Jay Pickett and her children, Bradley Paul (Annette E Pouyer), Cheryl Ann Rindlisbacher (Matthew S), Brenda Jane Goering (Brant W), Julie Kay Bosch (Rodney T), and Mark Howard (Michelle Astle); 17 grandchildren and spouses and 4 great-grandchildren; her sister Julia Anne Oldham; 7 nephews and nieces and their families.
A celebration of life will take place on Monday, August 15, at 11:00 a.m., Riverton 18th Ward, 2361 W. 13400 S. , where visitations will be held Sunday, August 14th 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Monday 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Online condolences: www.larkincares.com
