Sharon Pickering

Sharon Pickering, 78, of Great Falls, entered heaven peacefully on Friday, January 1, 2016 at Benefis Healthcare after a brief illness.A memorial service will take place at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel with Pastor Ray Larson officiating. A celebration of life will follow at Schnider Funeral Home. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Sharon was born February 8, 1937 in Broadwater, Nebraska to Lawrence and Irene (Yohey) Edens. She was welcomed by an older sister, Patricia. The family moved to Wheatland, Wyoming that same year when Lawrence purchased the grain elevators in the towns of Wheatland and Slater. Sharon attended school through the 8th grade in Wheatland. During the next four years, she lived at Jane Ivinson Hall in Laramie, Wyoming. The girls at Ivinson Hall received instruction in manners, music, religion, dance, and physical education while attending classes at University High. Mom often said jokingly not to tell people that Ivinson Hall was now a museum. Sharon graduated in 1955. She then attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1959. While at UW, Sharon was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority, Mortar Board, Spurs and Phi Gamma Nu.Upon graduation, Sharon worked in various clerical positions and she moved to Fort Lauderdale, Denver, and then Cheyenne. Her job with Boeing brought her to Great Falls in 1966. She met and married Lee Isaacson. In November of 1969, she gave birth to a daughter, Kristine. She and Lee later divorced.During this time, Sharon obtained a position with the University of Montana Minuteman Education Program at Malmstrom Air Force Base, where she worked for 14 years. She established several lasting friendships there and continued to get together with the gals for dinner on a monthly basis. Mutual friends introduced her to Jim Pickering and they married in 1973. Sharon brought one child, Kristine, to the marriage and Jim brought two daughters from a previous marriage, Pam and Lori. Sharon moved to a new position, working at Northwest Farm Credit Services and was there until her retirement in 1999. Mom liked working, so retirement didnt last long. She started working part-time for the Ameriprise Financial office in Great Falls. She worked until age 74. Jim and Sharon divorced in 1988, but decided the 18 month long break was enough to convince them to reunite. They were devoted companions for 43 years, up until the time of her death.Sharon loved gardening and had a large vegetable garden. She enjoyed sitting out on the patio and watching the birds at the many feeders around the yard. Many of her best times were spent camping with friends and family. She adored animals and had pets from a young age. The Springer Spaniel dogs she and Jim owned held a special place in her heart. She appreciated excellent food and didnt believe there was such a thing as a bad glass of wine. Girls shopping trips were a favorite and held many laughs. She also acquired a love for the University of Montana and Grizzly football while working for UM. Though she loved her Wyoming Cowboys, she yelled just as loud for the Griz.She was proud to be a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, which was a result of her sister Pats involvement in DAR and genealogy studies.Many have described her as gracious. Even while hospitalized, she maintained her sense of humor. Her generosity and compassion were immeasurable and the love for her family and friends was vast. During the time of her illness, she said she couldnt have asked for a better life or family. We wouldnt have been as blessed without her in our lives.Sharon is survived by her partner of 43 years, Jim Pickering; daughter Kristine (Eric) Schow; step-daughters Pam (Emmanuel) Margaris and Lori Pickering; grandchildren Britany Buchan, Sterling Schow, Darin (Jamie) Overturf, Jordan Cox, Jon Hardenbrook, and Melissa (Leroy) Dearth; three great-grandchildren; niece Cathy (David) Suazo of Wheatland, WY; and her special friend of 48 years, Pauletta (Gary) Byers.She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence P. and Irene L. Edens and sister Patricia L. Wilson.